Tito Jackson, Jackson 5 Member and Michael Jackson's Brother, Dies at 7

Tito Jackson, a member of the legendary Jackson 5 and brother to Michael and Janet Jackson, has passed away at age 70, as confirmed by his nephew Siggy Jackson to PEOPLE. Entertainment Tonight, the first to report the news, revealed that Tito died on Sunday, Sept. 15, following an apparent heart attack.

In the months leading up to his passing, Tito had been actively performing alongside his brothers, Jackie and Marlon Jackson, as part of The Jacksons.

The group had shows in Scotland, California, and England during the summer of 2024, with their most recent performance taking place on Sept. 8 in Surrey, England. They also had upcoming concerts planned for Oct. 25 in Atlantic City and Nov. 1 in Cincinnati.

Earlier this week, while in Munich, Germany, Tito and his brothers visited a memorial dedicated to Michael Jackson. Tito expressed his gratitude for the tribute on Facebook, saying, “We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”

As an original member of The Jackson 5, Tito helped propel the family band to international fame in the ’70s with chart-topping hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.”

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Tito Jackson, Jackson 5 Member and Michael Jackson's Brother, Dies at 7 — Tito, Jackie, Michael, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson of Jackson 5.

Tito Jackson pursued a solo career, releasing two studio albums: Tito Time in 2016 and Under Your Spell in 2021. Beginning in 2003, he toured globally, performing blues and funk music. According to his website, Tito also collaborated with the BB King Blues Band, touring with them in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

In a 2021 interview with Blues Blast magazine, Tito shared his deep connection to blues music, stating, “It was the blues that got me interested in the guitar.”

After a long break from the spotlight following his Jackson 5 success, Tito realized he wanted to return to the stage and focus on his passion for blues. “I’d been playing the Jackson 5 stuff for all my life, but the blues had always been the main music in my family,” he said.

His last single, “Love One Another,” was released in 2021, written during the pandemic. Tito described the song as a message of “love, unity, and peace,” aiming to offer comfort during difficult times.

The song’s music video featured appearances from Jackson family members, as well as celebrities like Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian. Tito’s sons, Taj, TJ, and Taryll, who formed the band 3T, also appeared in the video. Tito had managed 3T, and they were highlighted in the 2015 reality series The Jacksons: Next Generation.

As Tito Jackson entered his 70s, he showed no signs of slowing down. “We love it, I still love the traveling, this type of thing, it’s great,” he shared with Fox 5 San Diego in August, reflecting on his joy of touring with his brothers.

Tito was preceded in death by several family members, including his ex-wife Dee-Dee Martes-Jackson, the mother of his sons Taj, TJ, and Taryll, in 1994; his father, Joe Jackson, in 2018; and his brother Michael Jackson in 2009.