Toriano Adaryll Jackson, affectionately known as “Tito,” a member of the iconic pop group, the Jackson 5, along with his brothers, Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael and after Jermaine left the group to go solo, Randy, died Sept. 15 of a massive heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma. The Jacksons’ longtime family friend, publicist Steve Manning, called me a few hours after Tito passed away to give me the sad news.
Tito’s three sons, Taj, TJ, and Taryll who comprise the musical trio 3T, posted a joint statement on their group’s Instagram account on Sept. 16 following the news of their father’s death that read, “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.” The 3T continued, “Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some of you may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or 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.”
Many fans and people do not realize that Tito is the reason the Jackson 5 got started. Their father Joe Jackson played in a band in Gary, Indiana. One day, Tito was fooling around with their dad’s guitar and broke one of the instrument’s strings. When Joe came home from work at the Steel Mill in Gary, he opened up the case, discovered the broken string, and was livid. He lined his sons up and demanded to know who broke it. Tito admitted he was the culprit. When Joe got the string fixed, he handed the guitar and told Tito to show him why he was playing it. Tito began playing like a pro. That is when the Jackson 4 began. Shortly after, Michael sang “Climb Every Mountain” at his elementary school’s talent show, and the Jackson 5 was born.
I had the opportunity to work with Tito on the TV Show “The Insider” a month after Michael’s death in 2009. Tito’s blues band was performing in Jamaica, and he was kind enough to give me an exclusive interview.
Prior to his death, the acclaimed guitarist was in the midst of touring with the Jacksons, which most recently consisted of himself and his brothers Jackie and Marlon. The group recently performed in Los Angeles in Hollywood Park on Aug. 31. The concert was attended by their mother matriarch Katherine Jackson and sister LaToya.