The music and entertainment industry suffered another major 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 death in an Instagram post on Monday morning (September 16). “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us,” they wrote. “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken.”
They reflected on how their father was a man who cared about everyone and their well-being before highlighting the various nicknames people had for him, such as “Coach Tito” and “Poppa T.” “For us, it will always be ‘Tito time,'” they added. “Please remember to do what our father always preached, and that is ‘Love one another.’ We love you, Pops.”
The Instagram post from Tito Jackson’s sons included photos of them together, old pictures of the Jackson 5, Tito’s performances, and his signature fedora and sunglasses. ET reported that he died on Sunday through longtime Jackson family friend and former family manager Steve Manning. They clarified that although his cause of death is unknown, they believe 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. Along with his siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, he secured four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 singles with tracks such as “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There.”
He received three Grammy nominations and in 1997 his place in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame alongside his talented siblings. Jackson continued his career alone with solo efforts Tito era in 2016 and Under your spell in 2021. Last year he teamed up with Natalia Damini for the track “Attitude.”
VIBE sends its sincere condolences to the Jackson family, friends and loved ones affected by this loss.
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