Tito Jackson, a member of the iconic Jackson 5, has passed away at the age of 70.
His sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, shared the news through their band’s Instagram page, although no specific details about the cause, location, or time of his death were provided.
“Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” they wrote, referring to him not only as Tito Jackson but also as “Coach Tito” or “Poppa T.” The post emphasized that Tito will be missed tremendously.
Born in Gary, Indiana, on October 15, 1953, Tito was the third of nine siblings, all of whom ventured into music or entertainment. He began his musical career at just nine years old, performing with his brothers in talent shows.
In 1968, the group, originally known as The Jackson Brothers, was signed to Motown Records under the name the Jackson 5. Their debut single “I Want You Back” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1970, followed by three other hits that year: “ABC,” “I’ll Be There,” and “The Love You Save.”
Though Tito was the guitarist for the group, he didn’t play on their Motown recordings, which were handled by session musicians. However, his role expanded when the group transitioned to Epic Records in 1976 and became the Jacksons. Tito co-wrote songs like “Everybody” and “We Can Change The World” for the band.
The Jackson 5 served as a launchpad for the solo careers of Michael Jackson and other siblings, including Janet Jackson. In 1997, Tito and the group were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Though he was the last of the Jackson siblings to pursue a solo career, he eventually released his debut album, *Tito Time*, in 2016, followed by *Under Your Spell* in 2021, which displayed his blues influences.
Tito’s sons concluded their announcement by encouraging fans to remember his message: “Love One Another.”