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Tito Jackson, Jackson 5 member and brother of Michael, dies at 70 | Pop & Rock
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Tito Jackson, Jackson 5 member and brother of Michael, dies at 70 | Pop & Rock

Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who formed the pop group Jackson 5, has died at the age of 70.

Tito was the third of nine Jackson children, including world stars Michael and his sister Janet.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson. We are shocked, saddened, and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” his sons TJ, Taj and Taryll said in a statement posted to Instagram late Sunday night.

The Jackson 5 consisted of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. The family group, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, produced several number one hits in the 1970s, including ABC, I Want You Back and I’ll Be There.

The Jackson 5: Michael Jackson, front right; Marlon Jackson, front left; Tito Jackson, rear left; Jackie Jackson, centre rear; and Jermaine Jackson, rear right, undated. Photo: AP

The Jackson 5 became one of the biggest names in music under the leadership of their father, Joe Jackson, a steelworker and guitarist who supported his wife and nine children in Gary, Indiana. When the family’s music career took off, they moved to California.

Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson was born on October 15, 1953 and was the least heard member of the group, as a backing vocalist who played guitar. His brothers went on to solo careers, including Michael, who became one of the biggest artists in the world. Michael Jackson died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009.

Tito Jackson was the last of the nine Jackson brothers to release a solo project, with his 2016 debut album Tito Time. He released a song, One Way Street, in 2017 and told the AP in 2019 that he was working on a second album.

Jackson said he deliberately did not pursue a solo career because he wanted to concentrate on raising his three sons: TJ, Taj and Taryll, who formed their own music group, 3T. Jackson’s website provides a link to a single featuring 3T and Stevie Wonder, titled Love One Another.

Tito Jackson is also survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie and Latoya and their mother, Katherine. Their father died in 2018.

Entertainment Tonight was first to report that Jackson had died.