Tito Jackson’s three sons mourn his death at the age of 70.
Taj, TJ and Taryll Jackson released a joint statement on their band 3T’s Instagram account on Monday following news of their father’s death.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us,” the statement began.
“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” the siblings continued. “Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, others know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or still others as ‘Poppa T.'”
“However, we will miss him terribly,” they added. “For us, it will always be ‘Tito time.’ Please remember to do what our father always preached, and that is ‘Love one another.’ We love you, Pop.”
The post included photos of Tito from the past few years, including from his childhood with the Jackson 5. There were also pictures of Tito with Taj (51), TJ (46) and Taryll (49), whom Tito shared with his late ex-wife Dee Dee Martes.
Tito died on Sunday of an apparent heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma, Steve Manning, the Jackson family’s former manager, told Entertainment Tonight.
An official cause of death has not yet been determined.
Tito, the third of ten children of Katherine and Joe Jackson, performed with his brothers Jackie and Marlon as The Jacksons and had shows in Scotland, California and England in the summer of 2024.
A few days before his death, on September 11, Tito posted on Facebook from Munich, Germany, where he attended a memorial service for his late brother Michael Jackson while on a European tour with his brothers.
“Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon and I visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother Michael Jackson,” Tito wrote.
“We are deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but our shared heritage. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”
Tito was a founding member of the Jackson Brothers, along with Jermaine and Jackie, which formed in 1964 under the leadership of their father. The group expanded to become the Jackson 5 in 1966 with the addition of Michael and Marlon.
In addition to the huge success of the Jackson 5, Tito also pursued a solo career, releasing two studio albums: “Tito Time” in 2016 and “Under Your Spell” in 2021.
He also managed his sons’ band, 3T. Taj, TJ and Taryll all appeared on the Lifetime reality show “The Jacksons: Next Generation” in 2015.
Tito’s death came more than 15 years after the death of his brother Michael in 2009, who died at the age of 50.
The “Thriller” singer died in 2009 from acute propofol poisoning. The King of Pop’s doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, was found guilty of manslaughter in 2011 for negligently administering dangerous doses of the anesthetic propofol and other sedatives.
