The Jackson 5 member and brother of Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, passed away at the age of 70. His legendary contributions to music were well-known, and he performed live until recently.
At the age of 70, Tito Jackson, a well-known guitarist and singer best known for his part in the ground-breaking Jackson 5, departed this life. Tito, the Jackson siblings’ third oldest sibling, passed away on Sunday, Variety and Entertainment Tonight have reported.
Tito’s death was confirmed by longtime Jackson family friend Steve Manning, who also disclosed that Tito most likely had a heart attack while driving. But the official cause of death is still unknown. According to reports, Tito was traveling at the time.
Tito has stayed involved in the music industry in recent years. As a member of the Jacksons, he had been touring with his brothers Marlon and Jackie. The three of them had performed in England just one week before he passed away. Tito kept leaving his mark in the blues, both on his own and with the B.B. King Blues Band.
The Jackson 5, a group that rose to international prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s, included Tito Jackson as a key member. The Jackson 5, sometimes referred to as just the Jacksons, enthralled crowds with a run of hits that included “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There.” These songs, which included four straight No. 1 hits in 1969 and 1970, cemented the group’s place in music history.
Tito received three Grammy nominations over the course of his career, demonstrating his ability as a musician. Because of his work with the Jackson 5, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is evidence of the band’s enduring influence on the music business.
In 1972, at the age of just 18, Tito wed Delores “Dee Dee” Martes, one of his personal lifelong partners. The three sons of the couple, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, went on to form their own R&B group, 3T. Sadly, Dee Dee passed away in 1994, and Tito and Dee Dee divorced in 1988. Her death was first thought to be an accident but was eventually determined to be a homicide. Donald Bohana was found guilty of second-degree murder in 1998.
The impact of Tito Jackson goes beyond what he did for the Jackson 5. He was a popular performer who remained in touch with his audience well into old age. He was a gifted blues guitarist. He has had a profound impact on pop and blues music alike.
His nine grandchildren and three sons survive him.
