Tito Jackson, a pioneering member of the iconic musical group the Jackson 5, passed away on Sunday at the age of 70. Jackson, who rose to fame in the 1970s with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael, was known for hits such as “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.”
According to a statement from a spokesperson for his youngest sister, Janet Jackson, Tito Jackson died of a heart attack while en route from New Mexico to Oklahoma. The exact location of his death was not disclosed. Earlier this year, Jackson had mentioned to The Tulsa World that he had recently relocated to a ranch in Claremore, Oklahoma, approximately 25 miles northeast of Tulsa.
The Jackson 5, one of the most influential musical acts of their time, was instrumental in launching the solo career of Michael Jackson, who later achieved global fame as the “King of Pop” before his death in 2009 at the age of 50. The Jackson 5’s journey from their modest beginnings in Gary, Indiana, to their immense success was prominently featured in the 1992 ABC mini-series “The Jacksons: An American Dream.”
Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana, Tito was recognized for his role as the group’s guitarist. He developed his musical skills by observing his father, Joe Jackson, who managed the Jackson 5 and passed away in 2018.
In 2019, Tito Jackson recounted an early mishap with his father’s guitar. He recalled breaking a string and facing his father’s frustration, which led to a lesson that eventually shaped his musical career.
The Jackson Brothers, with Tito as the second eldest after Jackie and followed by Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael, initially performed together under this name before changing it to the Jackson 5 after a wedding performance.
Signed to Motown Records, the Jackson 5 became a household name during the 1970s, frequently appearing on television variety shows and enjoying a level of fame akin to modern pop stars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
In 1975, Randy Jackson joined the group, replacing Jermaine, who had begun a solo career. The group continued to perform and record under the name the Jacksons after leaving Motown for Epic Records in 1976.
The Jackson 5’s contributions to music were recognized with three of their biggest hits—“ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There”—being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The group was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, alongside other notable artists such as the Bee Gees, Joni Mitchell, and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Tito Jackson remained active in the music industry, releasing a solo album titled “Tito Time” in 2016 and continuing to tour with his brothers. Upcoming performances were scheduled in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
In addition to his brothers and sister Janet, Tito Jackson is survived by his sisters La Toya and Rebbie, his mother, three sons—Taj, Taryll, and TJ—nine grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.
Reflecting on his career, Tito Jackson once said, “We’ve always said that it’s the fans that make the artist. We go to work, we make music and we do all these other things, but it’s actually the fans who love it and buy it.”
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