Tito Jackson, Original Member of The Jackson 5 and Brother of Late Michael Jackson, Dies at 70

Tito Jackson, a member of the famous family band The Jackson 5 and brother of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson, has died, his nephew Siggy Jackson confirmed to PEOPLE. The musician was 70 years old.

According to Entertainment Tonight (which first reported the news), Jackson died on Sunday, September 15 after suffering an apparent heart attack.

Until his death, Tito was performing with brothers Jackie Jackson and Marlon Jackson as The Jacksons, and they had shows in Scotland, California and England during the summer of 2024. They performed as recently as September 8 in Surrey, England and had shows set for October 25 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and November 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Earlier this week, while Tito was in Munich, Germany, with The Jacksons, the brothers “visited a beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother Michael Jackson,” Tito wrote on Facebook. “We are deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory, but our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”

Tito was an original member of The Jackson 5, which also included Michael, Jackie, Jermaine Jackson and Marlon (and, later, Randy Jackson). The family pop group had hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “I’ll Be There” during the ’70s. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, and was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Tito, Jackie, Michael, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson of the Jackson 5.

Fin Costello/Redferns

Tito continued his solo career, releasing two studio albums: Tito’s time in 2016 and Under Your Spell in 2021

In 2003, Tito began performing and touring blues and funk music around the world, according to his website. He was occasionally on tour with the BB King Blues Band, especially in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Jackson 5.

Michael Ochs/Getty Archive

Tito spoke about his affinity for blues music in the headline interview for 2021 Blues Blast magazine, explaining, “The blues got me interested in the guitar.”

After taking a break from the spotlight following the success of his siblings, Tito told the paper that he realized: “I wanted to play music and I wanted to be on stage again. I’ve been playing the Jackson 5 stuff for Practically my whole life, but blues was the main music in my family, I just wanted to play, but I couldn’t find professionals for that kind of thing.”

Marlon, Tito, Jackie and Janet Jackson in 2008. Vince Bucci/Getty Images

His last single “Love yourself” was released in 2021. In the description of the song on YouTube, Tito said that the song was recorded in the midst of the pandemic and pointed out that his “aim was to convey a message of love, unity, and peace, which offers a balm for difficult times .”

“It’s a call for people to hold hands, embrace love and show kindness to one another, drawing inspiration from the enduring legacy of the Jackson family,” Tito said. “Through my music, I am dedicated to spreading a positive message of harmony and togetherness.”

The video features members of the Jackson family, as well as celebrities such as Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian. Tito’s three sons, Taj, TJ and Taryll, are also featured. The men made up the band 3T, managed by Tito, who appeared in the reality series in 2015. The Jacksons: The Next Generation.

Tito Jackson in 1975.

Michael Ochs/Getty Archive

When he reached his seventies, Tito had no intention of slowing down. “We love it, I still love traveling, stuff like this, it’s great,” Tito told Fox 5 San Diego in August about the current tour with his brothers.

Tito was preceded in death by his former wife, Dee-Dee Martes-Jackson (Taj, TJ and Taryll’s mother) in 1994; his father Joe Jackson in 2018; and brother Michael in 2009.

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Source: HIS Education