Published on: September 16, 2024, 11:00h. 

Last edited on: September 16, 2024, 11:03h.

Tito Jackson, Michael’s elder sibling, has passed away at the age of 70, leaving only three remaining members of the Jackson 5.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson,” his sons TJ, Taj, and Taryll stated in a late Sunday Instagram post. “We are shocked, saddened, and devastated. Our father was an amazing man who cared for everyone and their well-being.”

The cause of death has not been disclosed yet.

Tito — born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on Oct. 15, 1953 — was the third of nine Jackson siblings born to Joe and Katherine Jackson. Two of those siblings, Michael and Janet, became global superstars.

Tito rose to fame at just 16 years old when the group he formed with Jackie, 18, Jermaine, 15, Marlon, 12, and Michael, 11, became the first in history to debut four consecutive No. 1 hits in the Billboard Hot 100 chart: “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There.”

Enjoying Themselves

The Jackson 5 were regular performers in Las Vegas, holding a residency in 1974 at the original MGM Grand Hotel (now Horseshoe) from April 9–24, Aug. 20-Sept. 3, and Nov. 20-Dec. 3, which was later extended to include April 1-18, 1975.

They continued to perform as the Jackson 5 during these shows, despite adding a sixth member, youngest brother Randy. By 1976, they had become the Jacksons, due to switching record labels from Motown (which owned the name Jackson 5) to Epic.

As a background singer and guitarist in a band not known for guitars, Tito was the least visible group member. This, along with his uniquely recognizable name, often made him the target of jokes. Many comedians mimicking Michael Jackson leaned on using Tito’s name in Michael’s distinctive voice.

Tito released his first solo album in 2016 titled “Tito Time,” becoming the last of the nine Jackson siblings to go solo. In 2021, he followed up with “Under Your Spell.” Tito chose to delay his solo pursuits to focus on raising his sons, T.J., Taj, and Taryll, who formed their own music group, 3T.

After Michael Jackson’s passing at age 50 in 2009, Tito commented to the Associated Press that his brother’s death brought the family closer together.

“Realizing the love we have for each other when one of us is no longer here, what a tremendous loss,” he mentioned, expressing that he personally would never come to terms with it.

On Sept. 9, Tito performed with Marlon and Jackie in Munich, Germany. Two days later, he shared a message on his Facebook page, noting their visit to a memorial dedicated to Michael Jackson.

“We are deeply thankful for this special place that not only commemorates his memory but also our shared legacy,” Tito wrote. “Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”

Janet Jackson’s upcoming residency at Resorts World, starting on Dec. 30, is now expected to feature a tribute to her late brother.