Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who formed the beloved pop group The Jackson 5, passed away at the age of 70.
Tito was the third of nine children in the Jackson family, which includes world superstars Michael and his sister Janet, part of a family of music creators whose songs are still listened to today.
"With great sorrow we announce that our beloved father, and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Tito Jackson, is no longer with us. We are shocked, sad, and devastated. Our father was an amazing man who cared for everyone and their well-being," said his children TJ, Taj, and Taryll in a statement published on Instagram on Sunday night."
The Jackson 5 included the brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. The family group, which was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, produced several hits in the 1970s, including "ABC," "I Want You Back," and "I'll Be There."
The Jackson 5 became one of the most important names in music under the direction of their father, Joe Jackson, a steelworker and guitarist who supported his wife and nine children in Gary, Indiana. When the family's music careers took off, they moved to California.
Tito Jackson was born on October 15, 1953, his birth name was Toriano Adaryll Jackson. He was the least heard member of the group as a backing vocalist and guitarist. His brothers pursued solo careers, including Michael, who became one of the world's most important artists known as the King of Pop.
Michael Jackson died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009.
In a statement to The Associated Press in December 2009, Tito Jackson said that the death of his younger brother brought the family closer together.
"I would say that it definitely brought us one step closer to each other. Recognizing the love we have for each other when one of us is not here, what a great loss," he said, and added that personally he would never "be at peace with that."
"There are still moments when I can't believe it. So I think that's never going to go away," he said.
In 2014, Jackson said that he and his brothers still felt the absence of Michael Jackson in their concerts as they continued with international tours.
"I don't think we will get used to performing without him. We miss him a lot," he said, pointing out that his spirit "is with us when we perform. He gives us a lot of positive energy and puts many smiles on our faces."
Days before his death, Jackson posted a message on his Facebook page from Munich, Germany, on September 11th, where he visited a monument to Michael Jackson with his brothers.
"Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I visited the beautiful monument dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson. We are deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive," he wrote.
Tito Jackson was the last of the nine Jackson siblings to release a solo project with his 2016 debut, "Tito Time." He released a song in 2017, "One Way Street," and told the AP in 2019 that he was working on a second album.
Jackson said that he deliberately refrained from pursuing a solo career because he wanted to focus on raising his children T.J., Taj, and Taryll, who formed their own musical group 3T. Jackson's website offers a link to a single with 3T and Stevie Wonder titled "Love Each Other".
Tito Jackson is also survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon, and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie, and Latoya, and his mother, Katherine. His father passed away in 2018.
The death of Tito Jackson was first reported by Entertainment Tonight.