Tito Jackson was born as number three in the world-famous sibling group Jackson and was the older brother to the more well-known family members Michael and Janet.
"Our father was a fantastic man who cared about everyone having it well", writes his sons TJ, Taj, and Taryll in a statement on Instagram.
Tito Jackson passed away on Sunday after suffering a heart attack during a car ride between the state of New Mexico and his home in Oklahoma, according to a friend of the family to the TV program "Entertainment Tonight".
Part of Jackson 5
Tito Jackson was part of the family band The Jackson 5, which later became The Jacksons. The group was founded when Tito Jackson had barely become a teenager and got its big breakthrough at the end of the 1960s with hit songs like "ABC" and "I want you back".
Besides Tito and Michael, the brothers Jackie, Marlon, and Jermaine were also part of the group constellation. Due to record label disputes, the quintet changed its name to The Jacksons in the early 1970s and also changed its sound from pure R'n'B to a more timely soul- and disco sound.
In Hall of Fame
Michael Jackson left the group in the middle of the decade for an extremely successful solo career, but reunited with his brothers for an album and tour in 1984. Michael Jackson passed away in 2009, only 50 years old.
During his career, Tito Jackson was nominated for three Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Jackson 5. He released two solo albums, the latest of which, "Under your spell", came out in 2021.
Jackson was recently on a European tour together with his brothers Marlon and Jackie Jackson.