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Tito Jackson, Founding Member of the Jackson 5, Dies at 70
Tito Jackson, who along with brothers Michael, Jermaine, Jackie and Marlon was a founding member of the iconic family group Jackson 5, died Sunday at age 70. He died of a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma, a spokesman for his sister Janet Jackson. He had recently been performing with brothers Marlon and Jackie under the renewed aegis of the Jacksons, including a date as recently as one week ago in England. An L.A. audience saw a set by the Jacksons at the Fool in Love Festival at Hollywood Park on Aug. 31. Tito had also recorded and done many shows as a blues guitarist in the last 20 years, under his own banner or with the B.B. King Blues Band.
Tito Jackson played guitar, sang and, of course, danced his way into homes worldwide as the Jackson 5 became an international sensation in the late ’60s and early ’70s, with a string of smashes hits that included four straight No. 1 hits: “I Want You Back” in 1969 and “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There” in 1970. “Dancing Machine,” released in 1974, did nearly as well, peaking at No. 2. During this initial burst of glory, young Michael was the primary focus of attention, but the chemistry and choreography of the less prominent brothers was an essential part of their success as a top act on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and other TV variety series. Tito was inducted with the rest of the Jackson 5 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Michael, who died in 2009, is the only member from the original lineup of five brothers to have preceded Tito in death.
New Mexico police shed light on Tito Jackson's death: He suffered a medical emergency
The Jackson 5's Tito Jackson Texperienced some sort of medical emergency before he died Sunday in New Mexico, according to local law enforcement officials. Shedding light on some of the circumstances that led to the late Jacksons guitarist's death, the Gallup Police Department reported Monday that one of its officers had been flagged down by a person at the American Heritage Plaza who said there was "an individual requiring medical attention" and requested an ambulance. The ailing individual was later identified as Jackson, the brother of the king of pop, Michael Jackson who died in 2009, and R&B superstar Janet Jackson.
No foul play is suspected and the department is awaiting preliminary findings from the medical investigator's office, Police Chief Erin Toadlena-Pablo told The Times on Tuesday. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine Jackson's cause of death, a spokesperson for the medical investigator's office at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque confirmed Tuesday. It typically takes six to eight weeks to complete a full autopsy report, allowing for toxicology and histology tests to be completed. Tito Jackson, the third-eldest child in the Jackson family, is the first person since Michael Jackson to die from that generation of the family. Patriarch Joe Jackson died in 2018.
The Jacksons Pay Tribute to the Late Tito Jackson in a Heartfelt Message
On (Tuesday) Sept. 17, the Jackson family shared a heartfelt tribute on X (formally known as Twitter), honoring Tito, who passed away earlier this week at 70 after suffering a heart attack while driving to Oklahoma. “We are beyond devastated and still in total shock that our dear brother Tito is no longer with us,” they wrote. “He was always selfless, kind, laid back, cool, and always humble. He was loved wherever he went. Tito was such a loving brother and father; he loved his family so much.” The brothers reflected on how Tito was instrumental in the creation of the Jackson 5. “Everything began for us when Tito broke that guitar string and The Jackson 5 were born. Just a few days ago, we were onstage together in Munich, Germany. We could never have dreamt that would be our last time with him. We lived our lives on stage, and Tito was on stage till the end, spreading joy and love.” Tito's unexpected passing was confirmed by his sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ. According to Mirror Indy, Tito is being honored at his family home in Gary, Indiana. Fans from across the country have gathered at the birthplace of the Jackson 5 to pay tribute to the man who, along with his brothers, helped revolutionize the music industry.
Motown is alive! The Jacksons perform medley of Jackson 5 songs at Fool in Love festival in Los Angeles outside SoFi stadium on Saturday, August 31, 2024. This was Tito Jackson's last appearance in the USA, just two weeks before his unexpected death by heart attack while driving on September 15, 2025