AREQUIPA, Peru – American singer and guitarist Tito Jackson, an original member of the legendary group The Jackson 5 and older brother of stars Michael and Janet, died Sunday at the age of 70.
The news transcended on Instagramwhere his three children reported the incident without specifying the cause of death.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that our beloved father, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us. We are heartbroken, saddened and in shock. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” said Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson, who formed the 90s musical group 3T.
A family friend, Steve Manning, told the outlet Entertainment Tonight that Tito had died of a suspected heart attack on Sunday while driving from New Mexico to his home in Oklahoma.
Together with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, Tito created the renowned group The Jackson 5, whose first record label was Motown (1969-1975) and was one of the most popular bands of its time.
After Michael’s death Jackson in 2009, Tito told The Associated Press that the misfortune had brought the family together.
“I would say it definitely brought us one step closer. To acknowledge the love we feel for each other when one of us is not here is a huge loss,” she said.
Born on October 15, 1953, Tito was the third of ten children in the Jackson family. Together with his four brothers, the aforementioned group produced several successes number one in the 1970s, including ABC, I Want You Back and I’ll Be There.
According to his official website, Tito had been touring since 2003 with his own blues and funk band. In 2016 he became the last of the Jackson brothers to have a solo Billboard hit, with the single Get It Baby.
She had recently performed with her brothers Marlon and Jackie in England and participated in late August at the Fool in Love Festival in Hollywood Park, California.
