The American guitarist and singer Tito Jacksonoriginal member of the legendary group The Jackson 5 and older brother of the pop superstar Michael and Janet, died at the age of 70, her children reported late Sunday.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” his children Taj, Taryll and TJ, who make up the musical group 3T, posted on Instagram alongside a photo of them with their father.
“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an amazing man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” they added.
Family friend Steve Manning told Entertainment Tonight that Tito died of an alleged heart attack Sunday while driving from New Mexico to his home in Oklahoma.
The musician had recently performed in Germany, England and the state of California with his brothers Marlon and Jackieas The Jacksons.
He was an original member of the family group The Jackson 5 -also made up of his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael-, which had a series of international hits in the late 60s and early 70s, such as “I Want You Back“, “ABC” and “I’ll Be There“.
In 1997the legendary group entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by the hand of the singer and actress Diana Ross.
➡️ Join El Sol de México’s WhatsApp channel so you don’t miss out on the most important information
According to their website, Tito He had been touring with his own blues and funk band since 2003. In 2016, he became the last of the Jackson brothers to have a solo Billboard hit, with the single “Get It Baby.”