By Danielle Broadway

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Tito Jackson, founder with his brothers of the popular African-American Motown group The Jackson 5, died on Sunday at the age of 70, his family said.

The Jackson 5 were a band made up of teenage and pre-teen brothers Michael Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, and Tito Jackson. They were managed by their father, Joe Jackson, and produced several hits, including “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.”

Tito Jackson’s sons, TJ, Taj and Taryll, confirmed Monday that their father had died. No cause of death was given.

“We are shocked, saddened, and heartbroken,” they wrote in an Instagram post Monday. “Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson of the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some may know him as ‘Poppa T,'” they added.

“He will be greatly missed. It will always be ‘Tito Time’ for us,” they added.

The Jackson 5 were nominated for two Grammys and inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

Tito Jackson, known for his talent on rhythm guitar, started a solo career in 2003 playing blues music.

Younger brother Michael Jackson, known as the “King of Pop”, died in 2009 of acute propofol poisoning. Joe Jackson died in 2018.

(Reporting by Danielle Broadway; Editing by Sandra Maler)