Tito Jackson, a key figure from the legendary Jackson family and one of the founding members of The Jackson 5, has passed away at the age of 70.

As reported by Entertainment Tonight, the former Jackson family manager, Steve Manning, revealed that Tito suffered an apparent heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma. While the initial report indicates a heart attack, an official cause of death has not yet been determined.

His sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, members of the R&B group 3T, confirmed their father’s death in a heartfelt Instagram post. “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,” they wrote.

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They went on to describe him as an “incredible man” who was known by many as Tito Jackson, ‘Coach Tito,’ or simply ‘Poppa T.’ His sons emphasized their deep sorrow, stating, “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,” as reported by the New York Post.

Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana, Tito was the third of ten children born to Katherine and Joe Jackson. With the discovery of Tito’s musical talent at an early age, Joe Jackson formed the Jackson Brothers in 1964, featuring Tito and his brothers Jermaine and Jackie.

The group later expanded to The Jackson 5 in 1966, adding younger brothers Michael and Marlon. Tito’s role as a guitarist and background vocalist helped propel the group to stardom when they signed a deal with Motown Records in 1969. Hits like “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There” made them Motown’s biggest act of the era.

Though The Jackson 5 left Motown in 1975 and rebranded as The Jacksons, their success continued. Tito later embarked on a solo career, releasing two studio albums: Tito Time in 2016 and Under Your Spell in 2021. He continued to perform with his brothers Jackie and Marlon as part of The Jacksons, including a recent tour that took them to Germany, Scotland, California, and England in 2024.

Just days before his passing, Tito visited a memorial dedicated to his brother Michael in Munich, writing, “We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy.”

The Jackson brothers were set to perform upcoming shows in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Cincinnati, Ohio, later this year. Fans and family are left to mourn the loss of a man whose musical legacy shaped an era.