Tito Jackson, a beloved member of The Jackson 5 and brother to Michael and Janet Jackson, has passed away at the age of 70. His nephew, Siggy Jackson, confirmed the news to PEOPLE. Tito reportedly died on Sunday, Sept. 15, following an apparent heart attack.
Entertainment Tonight first reported the news, sharing that Tito had been actively performing with his brothers, Jackie and Marlon Jackson, as The Jacksons. The group had recent shows in Scotland, California, and England throughout the summer of 2024, with their last performance taking place on Sept. 8 in Surrey, England. Additional appearances were scheduled for Oct. 25 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Nov. 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
While in Munich, Germany, earlier in the week, Tito and his brothers visited a memorial honoring Michael Jackson. In a Facebook post, Tito expressed his gratitude for the memorial, saying it honored both Michael’s memory and the family’s shared legacy. “Thank you for keeping his spirit alive,” he wrote.
Tito was a founding member of The Jackson 5, which also included his brothers Michael, Jackie, Jermaine, and Marlon, with Randy joining later. The group achieved massive success in the 1970s with hit songs like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.” They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
After the success of The Jackson 5, Tito pursued a solo career, releasing two studio albums: Tito Time in 2016 and Under Your Spell in 2021. Known for his love of blues music, Tito began touring globally with blues and funk performances in 2003. He also performed alongside the BB King Blues Band in the late 2010s.
In a 2021 interview with Blues Blast magazine, Tito reflected on his deep connection to the blues, saying, “It was the blues that got me interested in the guitar.” After years of performing Jackson 5 hits, he returned to the stage to pursue his passion for blues music. “I just wanted to jam,” he added.
Tito’s final single, “Love One Another,” was released in 2021. The song, inspired by the pandemic, was meant to spread a message of unity, peace, and love. Featuring members of the Jackson family and celebrities like Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian, the music video also included his three sons—Taj, TJ, and Taryll—who performed as the band 3T, managed by Tito. The family starred in the 2015 reality series The Jacksons: Next Generation.
Despite entering his 70s, Tito showed no signs of slowing down. “We love it,” he shared during an August interview with Fox 5 San Diego, speaking about touring with his brothers. “I still love the traveling, this type of thing, it’s great.”
Tito is preceded in death by his ex-wife Dee-Dee Martes-Jackson, who passed away in 1994, his father Joe Jackson in 2018, and his brother Michael Jackson in 2009.