Tito Jackson, Member Of The Jackson 5 Has Passed On

The Jackson 5 founding member and Michael Jackson’s older brother, Tito Jackson has died on Sunday September 16.

According to family friend and former Jackson family manager Steve Manning, he passed on from a heart failure while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma.

Yet, the specific reason for his death has not entirely been revealed.

Tito was recently seen on September 9 in Munich, Germany six days before his demise – ahead of a performance by The Jacksons’ ongoing line-up, also featuring brothers Jackie and Marlon Jackson.

His last Instagram post showed him visiting Michael Jackson’s Memorial in the city, with the subtitle:

‘Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson.

‘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.’

The King of Pop Music Michael Jackson – who was known for global hits passed on June 25, 2009 at 50 years old, after a heart failure.

70 year-old Tito left behind his three children Taj, 41, Taryll, 39, and TJ, 46 – who were in the band 3T – and nine grandchildren.

The sons of Tito posted photos and a touching tribute to their father, writing:

‘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.

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‘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. Your boys, Taj, Taryll and TJ.’

His children’s mom was Delores ‘Dee’ Martes who Jackson marry in 1972 and separated in 1988.

She was found dead in a swimming pool in 1994 aged 39 and while her death was first seen as accidental, her boyfriend Donald Bohana was subsequently charged with murdering her and later found guilty of second-degree murder in 1998.

He was granted parole in December 2022 after serving 24 years.

The Jackson 5 formed in 1964, with founding members Tito – born Toriano Adaryll – Jackie and Jermaine; younger brothers Marlon and Michael joined soon after.

Tito started playing guitar aged 10 after his father Joe caught him experimenting on his own musical instrument and breaking a string.

The 10 Jackson kids regularly broke into song and Joe was inspired to form them into the family band. Joe managed them, entering the band in local talent competitions.

Jackson was notoriously hard on them as manager; he also insisted that his children call him by his first name and not Dad.

Moving on from local performances and competitions, Jackson eventually booked them in increasingly reputable venues, eventually getting the band a spot at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York – where they won amateur night and then a Motown recording contract.

In 1969 the Jackson 5 signed with Motown Records in Detroit, and scored several hit songs, including the number-one singles—’I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I’ll Be There’, with Tito’s impressive guitar skills a key component of the band’s success.

The Jackson family are a music dynasty – with sister Janet Jackson also becoming one of music’s biggest superstars.

The Jackson 5 became the first American group to have their first four singles go straight to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Randy, the youngest Jackson brother, replaced Jermaine in the mid-1970s when the group left Motown and became The Jacksons at CBS; Jermaine stayed behind and launched a solo career.

In 2001, Jackson reunited with his brothers on Michael Jackson’s 30th anniversary concert special at Madison Square Garden.

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Michael was involved in the original Jackson 5 up until 1983 when he began to focus on his successful career as a solo artist.

Tito shared a close bond with Michael and staunchly defended him when he faced allegations of child molestation. Jackson was cleared of all 14 counts of allegations against him in 2005.

In 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland was released, in which Wade Robson and James Safechuck both claimed Michael had abused them as young boys.

Safechuck was 10 years old when he met Jackson in 1986 on the set of a Pepsi advert. He alleges that Jackson, who throughout his life denied any allegations of sexually abusing children, showered him with gifts while grooming both him and his family.

Tito began a solo career in 2003 performing as a blues musician – releasing two albums, Tito Time in 2016 and ‘Under Your Spell’ in 2021.

He released ‘Love One Another’ from ‘Under Your Spell’ which featured brother Marlon Jackson, Kenny Neal, Bobby Rush and Stevie Wonder.

Throughout his career he was nominated for three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of the Jackson 5.

In his final weeks Jackson had performed shows in California, England and Scotland – taking to the stage in Surrey, England on September 8 and performing at Circus Krone in Munich on September 10.

The band was due to perform next on October 25 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and November 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio.