The Jackson Five's Tito Jackson Dies Aged 70

Tributes have been paid to Tito Jackson of The Jackson Five, who died aged 70.

Tito's death was confirmed by PEOPLE via his nephew Siggy, with a cause of death yet to be confirmed. However, the musician's former manager Steve Manning claimed that Tito suffered from a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma.

Tito Jackson was best known for being a founding member of The Jackson Five. He was the older brother of Janet and Michael Jackson. 

The Jackson Five was founded in 1964 by brothers Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and a young Michael Jackson. After Randy joined the group, the pop group went on to release chart topping hits including 'I Want You Back', 'ABC' and 'I'll Be There' in the 1970s. 

In a sweet tribute to Tito, the musician's sons Taj, TJ, and Taryll shared this emotional message on Instagram.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being", they wrote. 

“Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’ Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops". 

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The Jackson's last album arrived in 1989 with '2300 Jackson Street' as Michael Jackson's career began to take off as a pop megastar.

Following this, Tito Jackson embarked on a career as a blues guitarist with the B.B King Blues Band, as well as going on to release a number of solo albums, with his most recent coming in 2021 with 'Under Your Spell'. 

Paying tribute to Tito, former Jackson Five drummer Jonathan 'Sugarfoot' Moffett, also added: “I’m stunned and devastated to receive and hear this disheartening news. I love Tito like my brothers of blood relation. I’m stunned and dismayed… Trying to gather my thoughts, memories of him… and mental senses.. my most sincere and deepest thoughts and prayers for my second mother, Katherine".