Tito Jackson, an original member of the iconic family group The Jackson 5 and brother to Michael and Janet Jackson, has passed away, as confirmed by his nephew Siggy Jackson. He was 70 years old.
Entertainment Tonight, the first to break the news reported that Tito died on Sunday, September 15, due to what appears to be a heart attack.
In the time leading up to his death, Tito had been actively performing with brothers Jackie and Marlon as part of The Jacksons. They had shows planned in Scotland, California, and England throughout the summer of 2024. Their last performance occurred just days prior on September 8 in Surrey, England, with upcoming appearances scheduled for October 25 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and November 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Earlier this week, while in Munich, Germany, Tito shared on Facebook that the brothers had visited a touching memorial dedicated to their beloved brother, Michael Jackson. “We are sincerely thankful for this special space that honors not only his memory but our collective legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive,” Tito wrote.
As a founding member of The Jackson 5, Tito was part of a lineup that included Michael, Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and later Randy Jackson. The family band achieved tremendous success in the 1970s with hit songs such as “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.” They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Tito also pursued a solo music career, releasing two albums: Tito Time in 2016 and Under Your Spell in 2021.
In 2003, Tito began to tour and perform blues and funk music globally, as noted on his website. He occasionally collaborated with the BB King Blues Band, notably in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
In a cover interview with Blues Blast magazine in 2021, Tito expressed his passion for blues music, stating, “It was the blues that piqued my interest in playing the guitar.”
After stepping back from the limelight following his success with The Jackson 5, Tito realized he wanted to perform again. “I’ve been playing Jackson 5 songs for nearly my entire life, but blues has always been the core music in my family. I just yearned to jam, but I couldn’t find professional musicians who were interested in that,” he explained.
His last single, “Love One Another,” was released in 2021. In the song’s description on YouTube, Tito emphasized that it was recorded in response to the pandemic, with the intention of conveying a message of love, unity, and peace during difficult times.
“It’s an invitation for people to come together, spread love, and show kindness to each other, inspired by the lasting legacy of the Jackson Family,” Tito stated. “Through my music, I aim to promote a positive message of harmony and togetherness.”
The music video features members of the Jackson family, along with celebrities such as Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian. Tito’s three sons—Taj, TJ, and Taryll—also appear. They made up the band 3T, which Tito managed, and were part of the 2015 reality series The Jacksons: Next Generation.
As Tito approached his 70s, he had no plans to slow down. “I love it; I still enjoy traveling and this kind of work, it’s wonderful,” he told Fox 5 San Diego in August regarding his current touring adventures with his brothers.
Tito was predeceased by his ex-wife Dee-Dee Martes-Jackson (the mother of Taj, TJ, and Taryll) in 1994, his father Joe Jackson in 2018, and his brother Michael in 2009.
