Tito Jackson, one of the founding members of The Jackson 5, has passed away at the age of 70.
The beloved musician, older brother to the legendary Michael Jackson, tragically died on Sunday while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma, following a suspected heart attack.
Although an official cause of death has not been confirmed, the news was shared by Steve Manning, a longtime family friend and former Jackson family manager.
Tito’s Final Days and Performance History
Just days before his passing, Tito was last seen in Munich, Germany, on September 9, 2024.
He was preparing to perform with The Jacksons’ current line-up, which includes his brothers Jackie and Marlon.
Over the years, Tito had remained an active performer, traveling and taking the stage with his family to keep their musical legacy alive.
A Family Touched by Tragedy
The Jackson family has experienced their share of heartbreak.
In 2009, the world mourned the loss of Tito’s younger brother, Michael Jackson, who passed away at 50 following cardiac arrest.
Tito is survived by his three sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ—who formed the band 3T—and nine grandchildren.
The mother of his sons, Delores “Dee Dee” Martes, passed away in 1994 under tragic circumstances, initially ruled an accidental drowning.
Her boyfriend, Donald Bohana, was later convicted of her murder and served 24 years before being paroled in 2022.
The Rise of The Jackson 5
Tito’s musical journey began at an early age. Born Toriano Adaryll, he started playing the guitar at age 10 after his father, Joe Jackson, caught him experimenting on the instrument.
Impressed by his son’s talent, Joe encouraged him to continue and eventually bought Tito his own guitar.
This was the start of The Jackson 5, a group formed in 1964 with Tito, Jackie, and Jermaine, later joined by younger brothers Marlon and Michael.
Under Joe Jackson’s strict management, The Jackson 5 quickly gained attention.
After performing in local talent shows, they earned a spot at the prestigious Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Winning amateur night there led to a recording contract with Motown Records in 1969.
Their string of hits, including “I Want You Back” and “ABC,” catapulted them to fame, with Tito’s guitar skills playing a key role in their success.
The group made history as the first American band to have their first four singles hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Challenges and Changes
As the years passed, the band went through significant changes.
When Jermaine left the group in the mid-1970s to pursue a solo career, their younger brother Randy stepped in, and the group rebranded as The Jacksons.
Despite these shifts, Tito remained a vital part of the family band, reuniting with his brothers for Michael Jackson’s 30th anniversary concert in 2001.
Michael’s solo success became undeniable after he left The Jackson 5 in 1983.
Even though they pursued different musical paths, Tito maintained a close bond with Michael and defended him during some of the most challenging times in his life, including allegations of child abuse.
Michael was cleared of all charges in 2005, and Tito remained steadfast in his belief in his brother’s innocence.
Tito’s Solo Career and Legacy
In 2003, Tito embarked on a solo career as a blues musician, releasing two albums: Tito Time in 2016 and Under Your Spell in 2021.
He found solo success with tracks like “Get It Baby” featuring Big Daddy Kane and “Love One Another,” which included collaborations with Stevie Wonder and his brother Marlon.
Throughout his life, Tito was recognized for his contributions to music.
He earned three Grammy nominations and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of The Jackson 5.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on his late brother Michael, Tito once shared in an interview, “The world wasn’t kind to Michael at all, and we definitely lost something special when he passed.”
In his final weeks, Tito performed shows across California, England, and Scotland.
The Jacksons were set to continue their tour with upcoming shows in Atlantic City and Cincinnati, but sadly, the world has lost another Jackson legend too soon.
The legacy of Tito Jackson, both as a founding member of The Jackson 5 and a talented solo artist, will continue to live on through his music and the memories he leaves behind.