Tito Jackson, Founding Member and Guitarist For The Jackson 5, Dies

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Tito Jackson, a founder member of The Jackson 5, died on Sunday (September 15, 2024). His death at age 70 of an apparent heart attack, was formally announced by his sons who perform as 3T. “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” they wrote on their various social media platforms on Sept. 16. Along with his brothers Michael, Jackie, Jermaine, Randy and Marlon, Tito helped lead the popular musical group to worldwide stardom. Beginning in 1969 and continuing into 1970, the Motown group from Gary, Indiana, scored four consecutive #1 singles beginning with “I Want You Back” followed quickly with “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There.”

We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father Tito Jackson @titojackson5 was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Please remember to do what our father always preached, “Love One Another.” We love you Pops and will forever miss you. pic.twitter.com/QF2ZEydYT5

— 3T (@3TWorld) September 16, 2024

From Jacksons’ historian Stephen McMillian: The Jackson 5’s first single at Motown, “I Want You Back,” was originally titled “I Want to Be Free” and was slated for Gladys Knight & The Pips. However, the song was given to The Jackson 5 and, under Gordy’s instruction, was revamped with a Frankie Lymon treatment.

From the piano riff opening, to the wah wah and bass guitars and the group’s high spirited vocals, “I Want You Back” was pure magic. It was released as a single a few months ahead of their debut album on October 7, 1969.

The album, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5, was so titled because Ross was a huge star (who was about to leave her group The Supremes), and Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. felt that her name being attached to the group would help them become popular.

He was right. “I Want You Back” would become the group’s first #1 hit on both the Soul and Pop charts.

Watch them perform on The Ed Sullivan Show on May 10, 1970.

Their popularity soon led to a Saturday morning cartoon series, The Jackson 5ive, which ran for 23 episodes from September 11, 1971 until October 14, 1972, and featured a fictional portrayal of The Jackson 5 in a variety of musical-related adventures. Due to a busy tour schedule, the brothers did not provide the voice overs for their cartoon characters – but their music was used and they specially recorded the show’s theme song.

The group left their Motown home following the release of their 1975 album, Moving Violation, and signed with Epic Records as The Jacksons, (though Jermaine Jackson, who was married to Gordy’s daughter, remained with Motown and was replaced in the group by younger brother Randy). Their 1976 self-titled debut was largely written and produced by the Philadelphia International heads Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and featured “Enjoy Yourself,” the group’s first significant hit in two years. In 1978, they took control of their own music for the first time with the aptly titled Destiny album, which they produced themselves. The LP yielded two big hits, “Blame It on the Boogie” and “Shake Your Body (Down To the Ground).”

Not long after, Michael released a solo album for Epic, Off The Wall, which he produced with Quincy Jones. It was a juggernaut thanks to such singles as “Rock With You” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” ultimately selling some 20 million copies, and catapulted him to international superstardom. In 1980, The Jacksons released another studio album, Triumph, with several successful singles, as well as one that was surprisingly overlooked by radio, “Can You Feel It.”

In 1984, all six brothers recorded an album, Victory, with an accompanying arena tour that year.

In summer 2024, Tito performed a number of shows with brothers Jackie and Marlon as The Jacksons, including one in the U.K. on September 8. There were several more concerts scheduled for the fall.

The group’s first official website was launched in 2011. Updates significantly slowed down within a few years and the final entry was made in 2015. It’s been dormant ever since.

Another legend has left us!

Whether it was when the Jackson 5 first took the stage at Amateur Night, or when they graced the stage back in 2012 at #TheApollo, TITO JACKSON’s legacy at the Apollo will stand the test of time. #RestInPower Tito Jackson

@ShaharAzran pic.twitter.com/PWanABZp6s

— apollotheater (@ApolloTheater) September 16, 2024

Tito Jackson was born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15, 1953, the third of ten children to Joseph Jackson and Katherine Jackson. Ten year-old Tito was famously caught playing his father’s guitar after he broke a string. It’s said that his father then insisted that he play a variety of songs and when the domineering Joseph was satisfied that his son had demonstrated enough talent on the instrument, he brought him one of his own.

Various Jackson 5 collections are available here.

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