Lex Valluzzi, Arts Editor
Tito Jackson, member of the Jackson Five and self-proclaimed “The Swingingest Jackson” on The Carol Burnett Show, was announced dead on September 15. Jackson was 70 years old. His death marks the first Jackson sibling to pass away after the death of Michael Jackson in 2009. His death was confirmed by Jackson’s sons, Taj, Tyrell and TJ on September 16 in an Instagram tribute.
“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” the Jackson family shared in the Instagram post. “Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being, 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.”
Tito Jackson was born in 1967 in Gary, Indiana to Joe and Katherine Jackson. In 1967, Jackson began his music career as a child in the pop band The Jackson Five, who scored their first recording contract with Steel Town records. In 1969, The Jackson Five signed with Motown Records in Detroit where the group had several hits such as “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There.” Jackson was most notably the consistent member of the group as his siblings all left at different times. He also went on to make guitar debuts and write songs along with his brothers in later years. After their sixteenth and final studio album, “2300 Jackson Street,” Jackson along with his brothers were inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
In 2003, Jackson went on to pursue a solo career as a blues musician. In 2016, he became the ninth Jackson to place a solo single on the Billboard charts with his song “Get It Baby” from his album “Tito Time.”
New Mexico Police revealed a report made that an individual required medical assistance and was requesting an ambulance at the American Heritage Plaza. This individual was later revealed to be Tito Jackson. Jackson was immediately rushed to a local hospital before being pronounced dead on arrival. It was confirmed by Police Chief Erin Toadlena-Pablo that there was no foul play at hand. Jackson’s death is still under ongoing investigation and no cause of death has been released. A full autopsy report is currently being scheduled.
In his personal life, 18-year-old Jackson married Delores “Dee-Dee” Martes in 1972 but later divorced in 1988. In a tragic turn of events, Dee-Dee was found dead in a swimming pool in 1994 after being murdered by her boyfriend, Donald Bohana. Jackson advocated for his ex-wife’s death by starting the Dee-Dee Jackson Foundation, the foundation helps people process grief with music therapy.
“The truth is I am not okay, and I don’t know if I ever will be,” Taji Jackson shared in a social media post. “My dad and I shared the same name, Tariano Adaryll Jackson, and people often called me his twin. He was the man I’ve looked up to my entire life—my father, my hero.”
Rest in peace, Tito Jackson
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