Tito Jackson, a founding member of the iconic band The Jackson 5, has reportedly died at age 70.
His three sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, known together as the R&B-pop group 3T, confirmed the news in a joint statement shared on social media.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” the statement said.
“Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’ Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”
An official cause of death has not been revealed at this time.
Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson is survived by his three sons, his grandchildren, his mother Katherine Jackson; his siblings Janet Jackson, Rebbie Jackson-Brown, Jackie Jackson, Randy Jackson, Marlon Jackson, La Toya Jackson, and Jermaine Jackson.
Tito’s brother, Michael Jackson, passed away in 2009, and their father, Joe Jackson, died in 2018.
Tito formed the band The Jackson 5 with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael.
In 1969, they signed a recording contract with Berry Gordy’s Motown Records. Their debut album, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5, included their breakout single “I Want You Back,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Jackson 5 released nine more albums under Motown, which produced hits like “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” “I’ll Be There,” “Dancing Machine,” “Mama’s Pearl,” and many more.
After their stint with Motown, the group signed to Epic Records and rebranded to The Jacksons.
Under their new label home, they released six albums: The Jacksons (1976), Goin’ Places (1977), Destiny (1978), Triumph (1980), Victory (1984), and 2300 Jackson Street (1989).
In 2017, Tito Jackson released his debut solo album, Tito Time. The album included singles like “Get It Baby” featuring Big Daddy Kane and “When the Magic Happens” featuring Jocelyn Brown, and “One Way Street.”
Tito returned in 2021 with his second solo album, Under Your Spell. Where Tito Time was R&B and pop, Under Your Spell was blues.
Regarding Tito Time, he told Rated R&B, “I did that for the record because everything the Jacksons had done was basically pop or R&B. I wanted The Jacksons fans to hear the record.”
Under Your Spell included the lead single “Love One Another” featuring Stevie Wonder, Bobby Rush, and Marlon Jackson.
Regarding the song, Tito told Rated R&B, “We were brought up in the time of the civil rights movement. We know what it’s like to be discriminated against, and we still face that every once in a while. So, to have that in your music, I think it’s very important to remind the world that we’re all the same. Let’s do away with racism. Let’s love one another. It’s time to stop fighting. It’s time to end police brutality towards certain races, or the split between Republicans and Democrats beyond politics. It’s OK to be a Republican. It’s OK to be a Democrat. It’s not OK to hate each other. We have to love one another and that’s unity.”
Revisit Tito Jackson’s “Love One Another” from his album Under Your Spell below.