Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson has passed away at the age of 70 years young. Even as I read the headline of his passing from a trusted source, it didn't register— and I was praying it wasn't true. My heart goes out to Tito's kids, family (especially Mama K), friends, and fans.
Just days prior, Tito posted a picture to his Instagram of himself, alongside his brothers, Jackie and Marlon, visiting a longstanding memorial dedicated to their late brother, Michael, in Munich, Germany, before they had given a concert there later that day.
Tito started it all when he sneaked to play his father, Joe Jackson's guitar. One day, when Tito breaks one of the guitar strings, his father finds out, sits the guitar in his lap, and then says to him, "Show what me what you know." Needless to say, Joe was impressed when he heard Tito's guitar playing, and then the rest was HIStory—the Jackson Family and/or Jackson Brothers (the J5 name came later after Michael and Marlon joined the group) had been born after that catalyst moment.
We are forever grateful to Tito Jackson for sharing his incredible gift of playing the guitar, singing, songwriting, and performing with us. He is loved and will be forever missed.
In closing, I leave you with some videos of Tito's amazing guitar skills, performing, how the Jackson 5 began (in his own words), and one of his last singles, "Let's Love One Another," which was released three years ago.
Man... 💔 No words left. Rest in Paradise, Tito. 🕊🙏🏾 ~ Midnight
Tito we love you 😍 and you will always be respectfully remembered as part of the J5 brothers. Rest in peace 🙏 my brother. Your legacy will live on through your expert guitar 🎸 skills and performances. Peace and blessings to all the Jackson Family, friends and dear sweet Mother Katherine.
RIP poppa T. At first I thought it was a rumor because I only saw one person talking about it and I was even wondering how could they say such a thing until the reports started circulating that night into the next morning. He had more to give but the circumstances were sudden and unfortunate. I’m still in disbelief but I pray he is at peace.