Tito Jackson, a member of the iconic family band The Jackson 5, has passed away at the age of 70, as confirmed by his sons through a social media announcement. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us,” his sons Taj, Taryll, and TJ shared in an Instagram post.
They expressed their shock and sadness, stating, “Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, others as ‘Coach Tito’ or ‘Poppa T.’ He will be missed tremendously.”
The family urges fans to remember their father’s message of love, declaring, “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.”
Born on October 15, 1953, Tito was one of the five brothers in The Jackson 5, which was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. The group, consisting of Tito, Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael, achieved numerous No. 1 hits, including “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There.” Father Joe Jackson managed the group, relocating the family from Gary, Indiana to California as they rose to fame.
The Jackson 5 enjoyed peak popularity in the 1970s, although their influence waned in the early to mid-1980s as Michael Jackson’s solo career skyrocketed. Tito, Jackie, and Marlon, performing as The Jacksons, had summer shows planned in California and the U.K. for 2024, including the Boogietown Festival in southern England and further performances scheduled in Atlantic City and Cincinnati.
Just days before his passing, Tito shared a social media message from Munich, Germany, where he visited a memorial for his late brother, Michael Jackson. He expressed his gratitude for the memorial, stating, “We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”
Tito is survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon, and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie, and La Toya, along with their mother, Katherine. Michael Jackson passed away in 2009, and their father Joe Jackson died in 2018.