Tito Jackson, an iconic figure in the music world and a founding member of The Jackson 5, has died at the age of 70. His death was confirmed by his nephew, Siggy Jackson, in a statement to PEOPLE magazine.
Entertainment Tonight was the first to report the news, stating that Jackson passed away on Sunday, September 15, following a suspected heart attack.
Leading up to his passing, Tito had been performing with his brothers, Jackie and Marlon, as part of The Jacksons. The trio had a busy schedule over the summer of 2024, with concerts held in Scotland, California, and England. Their most recent performance took place on September 8 in Surrey, England. They were scheduled to appear on October 25 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and November 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
During a recent trip to Munich, Germany, Tito and his brothers took time to visit a memorial dedicated to their late brother, Michael Jackson. On his Facebook page, Tito shared his gratitude, writing, “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 was a pivotal member of The Jackson 5, which also included his siblings Michael, Jackie, Jermaine, and Marlon, with Randy Jackson joining later. The band achieved massive success in the ’70s with hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.” In 1997, The Jackson 5 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and they also earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Although best known for his role in The Jackson 5, Tito also carved out a successful solo career. He released two studio albums—Tito Time in 2016 and Under Your Spell in 2021.
In addition to his solo ventures, Tito pursued a passion for blues and funk music, touring internationally starting in 2003. His love for the blues stemmed from his early musical experiences, and he shared in a 2021 interview with Blues Blast magazine that it was the blues that initially inspired him to pick up the guitar. In the interview, Tito explained, “The blues had been the main music in my family. I just wanted to jam.”
Tito also performed with the BB King Blues Band on several occasions, with notable tours in 2017, 2018, and 2019. His last musical release was the 2021 single “Love One Another.” The track was inspired by the global pandemic and carried a message of love, unity, and peace. In the song’s description on YouTube, Tito explained that his goal was to encourage people to come together in kindness and compassion, reflecting the legacy of the Jackson family. The music video featured cameos from celebrities such as Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian, alongside appearances from Tito’s three sons—Taj, TJ, and Taryll—who comprised the band 3T, which Tito managed.
Even as he reached his 70s, Tito showed no signs of slowing down. In an interview with Fox 5 San Diego in August 2024, he expressed his continued love for performing, saying, “We love it, I still love the traveling, this type of thing, it’s great.”
Tito’s life was marked by both personal triumph and tragedy. He was preceded in death by his ex-wife, Dee-Dee Martes-Jackson, who was the mother of his three sons, in 1994. Additionally, his father, Joe Jackson, passed away in 2018, and his brother Michael died in 2009.
Tito Jackson’s death marks the end of an era, but his influence on music and his dedication to spreading messages of love and unity will continue to resonate for years to come.
