Tito Jackson (hereinafter referred to as Tito), the third older brother of ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson and a member of the legendary brother group ‘The Jackson Five’, has passed away at the age of 70.

According to an Associated Press report on the 15th (local time), Tito’s sons and singers TJ, Taj and Taryl said in a statement posted on Instagram that night, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us.”

The official cause of death has not yet been announced.

Born in 1953 in Indiana, USA, Tito is the third of nine children and rose to fame as a member of the Jackson 5, a brother group that released numerous hit songs in the 1970s. The Jackson 5 consisted of five members: Michael, who later became the King of Pop with his solo career; his older brother Jackie; Tito; Jermaine; and Marlon.

Tito was the last of the nine brothers to make his solo debut in 2016, releasing the song “One Way Street.” His sons TJ, Taj, and Taryl are singers in a group called “3T.”

It is said that Tito lived his entire life longing for his younger brother Michael, who passed away before him.

While on tour with the Jackson 5 in 2014, Tito said he and his brothers still felt Michael’s absence, saying his spirit “is with us when we perform.”

(Photo = Yonhap News)

Reporter Lee Hwi-kyung ddehg@wowtv.co.kr