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Jackson 5 co-founder Tito Jackson dies at 70

Vaseline September 16, 2024

The music and entertainment world suffered another great loss this week. Tito Jackson, co-founder of the Jackson 5 and brother of the late Michael Jackson, was pronounced dead at the age of 70.

His sons Taj, Taryll and TJ announced his passing in an Instagram post on Monday morning (Sept. 16). “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson,” they wrote. “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken.”

They reflected on their father as a man who cared about everyone and their well-being, before highlighting the various nicknames people had for him, including ‘Coach Tito’ and ‘Poppa T’. ‘It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us,’ they added. ‘Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love one another.’ We love you, Pops.’

Tito Jackson’s sons’ Instagram post included photos of them together, old photos of the Jackson 5, a performance by Tito, and his signature hat and sunglasses. AND reported that he died Sunday through longtime Jackson family friend and former family manager Steve Manning. They clarified that while his cause of death was unknown, they believed he suffered a heart attack while traveling from New Mexico to Oklahoma.

Tito Jackson’s legendary career began as part of the Jackson 5, later renamed The Jacksons. He, along with his siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, would secure four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 singles with songs such as “I Want You Back”, “ABC”, “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There”.

He earned three Grammy nominations and his place in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame along with his talented siblings in 1997. Jackson continued his career on his own with the solo efforts Tito time in 2016 and Under your spell in 2021. Last year he collaborated with Natalia Damini for the song “Attitude”.