Tito Jackson, brother of the late Michael Jackson and co-founder of the Jackson 5, has died. He was 70 years old.
His family made the stunning announcement Sunday.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” Tito’s sons TJ, Taj and Taryll said in a statement on Instagram. “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken.”
While an official cause of death has yet to be determined, Steve Manning, former Jackson family manager, told Entertainment Tonight, he believed the pop icon died of a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma on Sunday.
Tito, born Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson in October 1953 and the third of 10 children, was the least-heard member of the Jackson 5 as he was a backup singer and played guitar for the group, while his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael were more prominently featured.
During their time as the Jackson 5, the family produced several No. 1 hits in the 1970s including “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There.” They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Tito was last seen in Munich, Germany, on September 9, prior to a scheduled performance with his brothers Jackie and Marlon Jackson. The trio have two more performances left on their 2024 tour, however it’s unclear how The Jacksons will handle the upcoming shows.
“Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’ Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. 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,” his sons wrote on their own music group’s Instagram page.
It is devastating to hear the news about Tito Jackson. May he rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in knowing that so many people are thinking of them during this extremely difficult time.
Newlyweds Killed Less Than 48 Hours After Their Wedding
According to the Knoxville Police, the fatal accident took place on Sunday morning around 3 a.m. The trio was traveling on the Weisgarber exit ramp along Interstate 40 when their Dodge pickup truck veered off the road and collided with a guardrail. After exiting their vehicle, a Chevy pickup struck both their Dodge and them, leading to the heartbreaking loss of all three individuals at the scene. The driver of the Chevy sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
For Jessiah Plemons and Lily Rose, their love story was just beginning, and they were living their best lives. Lily, described as having a bubbly and carefree personality, brought joy to everyone she encountered. Her cousin, August McClelland, fondly remembers her as someone who loved having fun, often creating TikTok videos with friends and family.Lily was just the life of our family. She would just brighten up the room. Her laughter would fill the room,” shared Selena McClelland, Lily’s aunt.
Jessiah was passionate about music, and his love for it was evident in his actions. He introduced Lily to her first concert and gifted her with her very first guitar. While he learned to play the drums, Lily learned to strum the guitar, creating a harmonious bond between them.Despite battling addiction, Jessiah had turned his life around and was dedicated to helping others overcome similar challenges. He often sponsored individuals struggling with addiction, shared his experiences at local jails, and made a difference in countless lives. His mother, Michelle Plemon, remembered him as a caring soul who always made sure everyone else was okay.
Additionally, Jessiah extended his love and support to his older sister’s two young children, providing them with a loving home to prevent them from entering the Department of Children’s Services’ care.
Lily Rose was a devoted mother to her own children, a son and a daughter, and cherished every moment of motherhood. Together, Jessiah and Lily were planning to blend their families into one of six.They eloped in secret, and their families had no idea about the wedding. Jessiah had asked his sister Milea Effler to watch the children on Friday, but the reason remained a mystery. Tragically, Effler discovered their secret wedding through social media and, shortly thereafter, received the devastating news of the accident.
This accident has left a community grappling with profound loss, grieving the lives of these young individuals who were filled with hope and dreams for the future.They eloped in secret, and their families had no idea about the wedding. Jessiah had asked his sister Milea Effler to watch the children on Friday, but the reason remained a mystery. Tragically, Effler discovered their secret wedding through social media and, shortly thereafter, received the devastating news of the accident.
This accident has left a community grappling with profound loss, grieving the lives of these young individuals who were filled with hope and dreams for the future.
Leave a Reply