Third of nine brothers
Last solo debut among brothers in 2016
Tito Jackson, the third eldest brother of the 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson and a member of the legendary brother group 'The Jackson 5,' has passed away at the age of 70, according to the Associated Press on the 15th (local time).
Tito's sons and singers TJ, Taj, and Taryll released a statement on Instagram that night, saying, "It is with heavy hearts that we announce our beloved father and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Tito Jackson is no longer with us." The official cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Born in 1953 in Indiana, USA, as the third of nine siblings, Tito gained recognition as a member of the brother group The Jackson 5, which produced numerous hit songs in the 1970s. He served as a backing vocalist and guitarist in the group, receiving less attention compared to his brothers during their active years.
The Jackson 5 consisted of five members: Michael, who later rose to the throne of pop as a solo artist, and his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon. They released numerous hits such as "ABC," "I Want You Back," and "I'll Be There," and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Unlike Michael Jackson, who achieved great success as a solo artist, and other brothers who also pursued solo careers soon after, Tito focused more on raising his three sons than on his music career. Tito's sons TJ, Taj, and Taryll perform as a group called '3T.'
It was not until 2016 that Tito made his solo debut, the last among the nine siblings, releasing the song "One Way Street."
Tito is said to have lived with a lifelong longing for his younger brother Michael, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. During The Jackson 5 tour in 2014, Tito said that he and his brothers still feel Michael's absence and that his spirit "is with us when we perform."
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