Tito Jackson, a founding member of the Jackson 5 and brother of Michael Jackson, has passed away at the age of 70, according to US media reports.
The exact cause of his death is still unknown.
Tito was part of the legendary Jackson 5 with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael, who passed away in 2009. He was recently in Munich, Germany, preparing for a performance with his brothers.
A close family friend, Steve Manning, confirmed Tito’s passing. His three sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, who were part of the 1990s R&B group 3T, also announced the news on Instagram. “We are shocked and heartbroken,” they shared. “Our father was an incredible man who cared deeply for everyone. He will be greatly missed, and it will always be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to ‘Love One Another,’ just as he always preached.
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Just days before his death, Tito shared a message from Munich, where he and his brothers visited a memorial dedicated to Michael Jackson. He expressed gratitude for the memorial, which honored their shared legacy.
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The Jackson brothers performed in Germany on September 10, shortly after playing at Boogietown, a UK festival celebrating funk, soul, and disco music. They also performed at the Fool in Love Festival in Los Angeles in late August.
Jonathan Moffett, the Jackson 5’s former drummer, paid tribute on social media, writing, “I’m heartbroken and stunned. I love you, Tito. My deepest love and prayers go out to the entire Jackson family.”
Tito was the third oldest of the nine Jackson siblings. Aside from Michael, who died in 2009 at age 50, all of Tito’s siblings, including Janet and La Toya, are still alive. Their father, Joe Jackson, passed away in 2018 at age 89.
In addition to his work with the Jackson 5, Tito pursued a solo career as a blues musician, starting in 2003. He was the last of the Jackson siblings to achieve a solo hit, with his 2016 song “Get It Baby.” In 2019, Tito and his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, and Marlon embarked on a world tour as The Jacksons.
