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US guitarist and singer Tito Jackson, founding member of the legendary group Jackson 5 and older brother of pop superstars Michael and Janet, has died at the age of 70, his sons announced late Sunday.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us,” his sons Taj, Taryll and TJ, who make up the musical group 3T, posted on Instagram along with a photo of them with their father.
“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” they said.
“Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is, ‘Love one another.’ We love you, Pops. Your boys, Taj, Taryll and TJ.”
Family friend Steve Manning told Entertainment Tonight that Tito died of an apparent heart attack on Sunday while driving from New Mexico to his home in Oklahoma.
Tito recently performed with his brothers Marlon and Jackie as The Jacksons in Germany, England and California.
Tito was a founding member of the family group The Jackson 5 along with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.
After signing with Motown Records in 1969, they had a string of international hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.”
The younger brother Michael, who later rose to superstardom as a solo artist, died in 2009 at the age of 50.
Tito was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 along with his brothers the Jackson 5 by Motown legend Diana Ross.
According to his website, Tito has been performing and touring with his own large blues and funk band since 2003.
In 2016, he became the last of the Jackson siblings to have a solo hit on the Billboard charts, with the single “Get It Baby” entering the charts, followed by his debut solo album, “Tito Time.”
His second album – and his first blues album – “Under Your Spell” was released in 2021 and featured special guests such as George Benson, Bobby Rush and Stevie Wonder.
Tito leaves behind three sons. His ex-wife, their mother Dolores, died in 1994.
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