Tito Jackson Dies at 70
Tito Jackson, guitarist and singer in The Jackson 5, has died. He was 70.
Jackson’s death was confirmed in a statement via Instagram from his three sons: Taj, Taryll and TJ. They wrote, “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us.”
The three sons continued, “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’ Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us.”
They concluded, “Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”
A cause of death was not disclosed by Jackson’s sons. However, a spokesman for sister Janet Jackson told The New York Times that Tito died from a heart attack while driving to Oklahoma from New Mexico.
In the legendary Jackson family, Tito was the third child born to Joe and Katherin Jackson. He was famously a member of The Jackson 5 alongside his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. The group signed with Motown Records in 1968. Over the course of five years, The Jackson 5 scored 17 top-40 hits, including four No. 1 hits: “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There.”
The impact of The Jackson 5 (later renamed The Jacksons) is simply massive. The Jackson 5 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as part of a stacked class that included the Bee Gees, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joni Mitchell, Parliament-Funkadelic and the (Young) Rascals.
The Rock Hall said in tribute, “Inducted in 1997, The Jackson 5’s catchy melodies, tight harmonies, and energetic dance moves created a sound that was fresh, appealing, and effervescent. Tito Jackson helped to define Motown in the 1970s, contributing vocals on many of the J5’s hits, including ‘I Want You Back’ ‘ABC,’ and ‘The Love You Save.'”
The Rock Hall continued, “When the Jackson 5 transformed their sound and rebranded themselves The Jacksons in the mid-1970s, Tito’s role increased, as he began co-writing songs with his brothers and adding his rhythm guitar playing to their recordings. He went on to work as a session player and producer and re-emerged with several R&B hits including ‘Get It Baby’ and ‘Love One Another.'”
