Tito Jackson, a beloved member of the legendary Jackson family and the original Jackson 5, has passed away at the age of 70. His nephew, Siggy Jackson, confirmed the sad news to PEOPLE. Jackson reportedly suffered a heart attack on Sunday, September 15, as initially reported by Entertainment Tonight.
In the months leading up to his passing, Tito remained active in the music scene. Alongside his brothers, Jackie and Marlon, he performed as part of The Jacksons. Their summer 2024 schedule included shows across Scotland, California, and England. The group had most recently performed in Surrey, England, on September 8 and had planned future appearances for October 25 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and November 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Earlier this week, while in Munich, Germany, Tito shared a heartfelt moment on social media, expressing gratitude for visiting a memorial dedicated to his late brother, Michael Jackson. “We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy,” he wrote on Facebook, thanking fans for keeping Michael’s spirit alive.
Tito was a founding member of The Jackson 5, which originally featured his brothers Michael, Jackie, Jermaine, and Marlon, with Randy Jackson joining later. The group became a pop sensation in the 1970s with iconic hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.” Their musical success earned them induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
After The Jackson 5, Tito ventured into a solo career, releasing two studio albums: “Tito Time” in 2016 and “Under Your Spell” in 2021. His love for music, especially the blues, continued throughout his life. In 2003, Tito began touring the world, performing blues and funk music, and occasionally joined the BB King Blues Band in 2017, 2018, and 2019. During a 2021 interview with Blues Blast magazine, he shared his deep-rooted passion for blues, revealing, “It was the blues that got me interested in the guitar.” Reflecting on his musical journey, he said, “I wanted to play some music, and I wanted to be on stage again… The blues had been the main music in my family. I just wanted to jam.”
His last single, “Love One Another,” was released in 2021 and was inspired by the challenges of the pandemic. In the song’s description, Tito expressed his desire to spread a message of “love, unity, and peace,” offering comfort during troubled times. “It’s a call for people to join hands, embrace love, and exhibit kindness to one another, drawing inspiration from the enduring legacy of the Jackson Family,” he said. The music video featured several members of the Jackson family, including his sons Taj, TJ, and Taryll, as well as celebrities like Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian. Tito’s sons, who formed the band 3T, were also prominently involved in the music video.
Despite entering his 70s, Tito showed no signs of slowing down. He continued to embrace the life of a touring musician, telling Fox 5 San Diego in an August interview, “We love it, I still love the traveling, this type of thing, it’s great.”
Tito Jackson’s death marks a somber moment for the Jackson family. He was preceded in death by his ex-wife Dee-Dee Martes-Jackson in 1994, his father Joe Jackson in 2018, and his brother Michael Jackson in 2009. His legacy, however, lives on through his music and the many fans who cherished his contributions to the world of entertainment.
Read More: World Liberty Financial, a New Crypto Platform Launched by Donald Trump: Everything You Should Know
