From Jackson 5 to Solo Success: Remembering Tito Jackson’s Musical Journey and Enduring Legacy in Pop, R&B, and Soul
Tito Jackson, an original member of the Jackson 5 who became a teen idol in the 1970s with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael, died on Sunday at 70. The group had a string of hits, including “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.” The Tito Jackson death occurred when he suffered a fatal heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma.
On Monday, a representative for his youngest sister, singer Janet Jackson, announced that Mr. Jackson suffered a fatal heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma. The location of his death was not specified. In June, Mr. Jackson told The Tulsa World that he had recently moved to a ranch in Claremore, Oklahoma, about 25 miles northeast of Tulsa.
The Jackson 5: A Family Phenomenon
The Jackson 5, one of the most famous music groups of their time, launched the solo career of Michael Jackson, who became known as the “King of Pop” and one of the most imitated musicians ever. Michael Jackson and Tito had a close relationship. Michael Jackson’s death date was in 2009 when he passed away at the age of 50. Many wonder how Michael Jackson passed away and when Michael Jackson died.
The Jackson 5’s journey from their modest beginnings in Gary, Indiana, to their various levels of success has been well-documented. It was the subject of a five-hour ABC mini-series in 1992 titled “The Jacksons: An American Dream.”
Tito’s Early Years and Musical Beginnings
Tito Jackson was born to Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana. He is mainly remembered as the group’s guitarist, a skill he learned by watching his father, Joe Jackson. His father passed away in 2018.
In a 2019 interview with Vlad TV, Tito Jackson shared that as a child, he would secretly play his father’s guitar. “One day, I broke the string and didn’t know what to do,” he said. He came home, saw the broken string, and was really upset.” After disciplining him, Mr. Jackson said his father asked him to show what he knew. His father then gave him the Tito Jackson guitar, telling him to learn every song on the radio.
The Formation of the Jackson 5
The family soon formed the Jackson Brothers, which included the Jackson brothers names of Jackie Jackson, Tito, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, and young Michael, who joined after impressing the family with his rendition of “Climb Every Mountain” at a talent show. The band’s name was later changed to the Jackson 5 after someone suggested it following a wedding performance.
Tito was the second oldest, after Jackie, followed by Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael.
Rise to Stardom and Cultural Impact
The Jackson 5 became a household name in the 1970s, often appearing on TV alongside stars like Cher or Diana Ross. Their music, spanning over a dozen albums, became the soundtrack for a young generation, sparking a fan frenzy now seen only with top pop stars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. The Jackson 5 first album was released by Motown Records in 1969.
In a 2019 interview with Sister Circle TV, Mr. Jackson recalled, “I remember our first UK visit. About 10,000 screaming fans greeted us at the airport. I got lost, and suddenly 1,000 fans were chasing me, pulling at me. It was wild.” Tito Jackson’s young photos show the frenzy surrounding the group in their heyday in the Tito Jackson 80s.
(Randy Jackson joined the group in 1975, replacing Jermaine, who had begun a solo career.)
Awards and Recognition
Three of the Jackson 5’s biggest hits — “ABC,” “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There” — earned spots in the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 1997, the group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside the Bee Gees.
Mr. Jackson stayed active in music over the years, releasing a Tito Jackson solo album, “Tito Time,” in 2016 and touring with some of his brothers. The group, now known as The Jacksons, had shows planned in Atlantic City, N.J., for October and in Cincinnati for November.
“We’ve always said that fans make the artist,” Mr. Jackson told Sister Circle TV. “We do our job, make music and all that, but it’s really the fans who love it and buy it.”
Tito Jackson: A Brief Biography
For those wondering who Tito Jackson is, he was a core member of the legendary Jackson 5 alongside his brothers. Tito had three sons who formed the R&B/pop group 3T—TJ Jackson, Taryll Jackson, and Taj Jackson. He was 5 ft 9 in tall.
Tito Jackson’s solo career included the album “Tito Time,” released through Epic Records in 2016. He also participated in the Jackson 5’s Victory tour in 1984 and was featured in the 2017 book “The Jacksons: Legacy.”
Legacy and Family
The Tito Jackson obituary notes his passing at age 70. His Tito Jackson children survive him. His son, TJ Jackson, serves as co-guardian of Michael Jackson’s kids. The Dee Jackson Foundation, named after Tito’s late ex-wife, provides music education to underprivileged youth.
A Lasting Impact on Music
Tito Jackson made an indelible mark on popular music as part of the Jackson 5, influencing countless artists in pop, R&B, soul, blues, and beyond. His talent shone on stages from Gary to Madison Square Garden. At his passing, Tito Jackson was 70 years old. His guitar skills and vocals, alongside those of his brothers, created a soundtrack for a generation.
Source:
Derrick Bryson Taylor (September 16, 2024). Tito Jackson, Jackson 5 Singer and Guitarist, Dies at 70. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/16/us/tito-jackson-dead.html
Header Photo:
Tito Jackson (American singer–songwriter and guitarist) attends the UK premiere of „Stratton“ at VUE Cinema, West End, London, 29 August 2017
Photo credit: David Sedlecký, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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