Tito Jackson suffered a heart attack
Tito Jackson, the brother of the late Michael Jackson and a member of the Jackson Five, suffered a heart attack while at the American Heritage Plaza shopping center. He had been driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma when the heart attack occurred. He was 70.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” his children wrote.
The post continued: “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito,’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’ Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. “
The Jackson 5, was signed by Berry Gordy of Motown, which was then based in Detroit.
The group included teenage and pre-teen brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, lead singer Michael, Janette, and Rebbie. Tito played the guitar.
Their father, Joe Jackson, was a crane operator at Inland Steel in East Chicago, Ind., but he wanted to be a musician.
He took his sons on the road, and their talent got the attention of bigwigs in the recording industry. Micheal Jackson died on June 25, 2009.