"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," his sons TJ, Taj and Taryll said in a statement posted on Instagram.
The Jackson 5 became one of the biggest names in music under the guidance of their father, Joe Jackson, a steelworker and guitar player who supported his wife and nine children in Gary. As the family's music careers took off , they relocated to California, but Gary continued to take pride in their steel city origins. Mayor Eddie Melton issued a statement Monday honoring Jackson for his contributions to the city.
"The City of Gary extends our deepest condolences to the Jackson family on the loss of a true Gary legend, Tito Jackson," Melton said. "His impact on our city and our culture is immeasurable. Thank you, Tito, for all you have done for Gary and for the world.
You will be truly missed." Tito was the third of nine Jackson children, who include global superstars Michael and Janet. The Jackson 5 included brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.
The family group, which was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, produced several No. 1 hits in the 1970s including "ABC," "I Want You Back" and "I'll Be There." Born on Oct.
15, 1953, Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson was the least-heard member of the group as a background singer who played guitar. His brothers launched solo careers, including Michael, who became one of the world's biggest performers known as The King of Pop. Michael Jackson died at age 50 on June 25, 2009.
Speaking to The Associated Press in December 2009, Jackson said his younger brother's death pulled the family closer together. "I would say definitely it brought us a step closer to each other. To recognize that the love we have for each other when one of us is not here, what a great loss," he said, adding he would personally never "be at peace with it.
" "There's still moments when I just can't believe it. So I think that's never going to go away," he said. Days before his death, Tito Jackson posted a message on his Facebook page from Germany, where he visited a memorial to Michael Jackson with his brothers.
"Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson. 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," he wrote.
Tito Jackson was the last of the nine Jackson siblings to release a solo project with his 2016 debut, "Tito Time." He released a song in 2017, "One Way Street," and told the AP in 2019 that he was working on a sophomore album. Jackson said he purposely held back from pursuing a solo career because he wanted to focus on raising his three sons, TJ, Taj and Taryll, who formed their own music group, 3T.
Jackson's web-site offers a link to a single featuring 3T and Stevie Wonder titled, "Love One Another." Tito. Jackie, Marlon and other family members performed a concert at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in May.
Prior to that visit, Jackson commented on his relationship with his hometown. "I want to say to the people of Gary that I love you very much," he told The Times. "In my upper age, I'm getting more attached to the city.
" Jackson had recently moved to Oklahoma, where he planned to open a business in Tulsa called Tito's Spot. "It's going to be an entertainment center with 2,000 seats," Jackson's business associate Terry Harvey told the Tulsa World earlier this month. "It's going to have pickleball courts.
There is going to be a museum. There is going to be a restaurant. It's going to be nice.
" Harvey said a second location was being planned for Gary, where they also planned to turn the family home on Jackson Street into a museum. "They are in the process of doing that right now," Harvey said. On Monday, the home attracted several visitors, including an artist who painted a portrait of Jackson, and travelers from as far away as England.
In addition to his children, Tito Jackson is survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie and La Toya and their mother, Katherine. Their father died in 2018. Brian P.
D. Hannon of the associated press and The Times staff contributed to this report..
