Tito Jackson, member of the Jackson 5 and brother of Michael, dies at the age of 70 | Pop and Rock

Tito Jackson, one of the brothers of the pop group Jackson 5, has died at the age of 70.

Tito was the third of nine Jackson children, including global superstars Michael and his sister Janet.

“It is 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 late Sunday.

The Jackson 5 included brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, the family group produced several number one hits in the 1970s, including ABC, I Want You Back and I'll Be There.

The Jackson 5 became one of the biggest names in music under the leadership of their father, Joe Jackson, a steelworker and guitarist who supported his wife and nine children in Gary, Indiana. As the family's music careers took off, they moved to California.

Born on October 15, 1953, Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson was the least known member of the group as a background singer with guitar. His brothers started solo careers, including Michael, who became one of the biggest artists in the world. Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50.

Tito Jackson was the last of the nine Jackson siblings to release a solo project, with his debut album Tito Time in 2016. He released the song One Way Street in 2017 and told the AP in 2019 that he was working on a second album.

Jackson said he deliberately held back from 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 website provides a link to a single featuring 3T and Stevie Wonder called Love One Another.

Tito Jackson is also survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie and Latoya, and their mother Katherine. Their father died in 2018.

Jackson's death was first reported by Entertainment Tonight.