Tito Jackson, a member of the pop group Jackson 5, has died at the age of 70, his sons said.

Tito was the third of the nine Jackson siblings, which also includes global pop icon Michael Jackson.

Tito Jackson was a member of the group Jackson 5 and later pursued a solo career.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Tito’s sons TJ, Taj and Taryll expressed their sadness: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us.”

“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.”

The Jackson 5, consisting of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, became famous in the 1970s with chart hits such as “ABC”, “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There”.

The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and became a defining act of the era.

Under the leadership of their father, Joe Jackson, the family made the transition from humble beginnings in Gary, Indiana, to worldwide fame.

Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson, born October 15, 1953, was the group’s guitarist and backing vocalist.

While his brothers, especially Michael, who earned the title “King of Pop,” pursued solo careers, Tito focused on supporting the group and his family.

Michael Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50.

In a 2009 interview with the Associated Press, Tito spoke about the impact of Michael’s death: “I would definitely say it brought us one step closer to each other. To realize how much we love each other when one of us is gone is a huge loss.”

He said he personally would never make peace with it.

“There are still moments when I just can’t believe it. I don’t think it will ever go away,” he said.

In 2014, Jackson said that he and his brothers still felt Michael Jackson’s absence at their shows.

“I don’t think we’ll ever get used to performing without him. We miss him a lot,” he said.

He added that Michael’s spirit “is with us when we perform. He gives us a lot of positive energy and often puts a smile on our faces.”

Just a few days before his death, Tito attended a memorial service for Michael Jackson in Munich together with his brothers Jackie and Marlon.

He shared a message on Facebook: “We are deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared heritage.”

Tito Jackson was one of the family members who defended Michael Jackson’s legacy in 2019 after he was accused of sexually assaulting young boys in the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland.

Tito joined Michael Jackson’s nephew Taj and his brothers Jackie and Marlon CBS this morning to comment on the allegations.

Michael Jackson has always maintained his innocence regarding allegations of sexual abuse. In 2005, he went to trial in one case and was acquitted.

Tito was the last of the Jackson siblings to launch a solo career, releasing his debut album, “Tito Time,” in 2016.

In 2017 he followed up with the single “One Way Street” and in 2019 he was still working on a second album.

This article contains reports from The Associated Press