Tito Jackson was a founding member of the Jackson 5 who rose to fame in the late 1960s and 1970s with Motown Records. Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15, 1953, he served as the group’s guitarist and tenor vocalist for over two decades before launching a successful blues career. He passed away on September 15, 2024, after suffering a fatal heart attack in Gallup, New Mexico.
Who Was Tito Jackson?
Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson was born on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana. He was the third of ten children in the Jackson family, growing up in a modest two-bedroom house in the industrial town of Gary. His father, Joseph Jackson, worked as a steel mill crane operator while playing R&B guitar in a local band called the Falcons. His mother, Katherine Jackson, was a Jehovah’s Witness who played piano, cello, and clarinet.
At the age of ten, Tito was caught playing his father’s guitar after he had broken a string. This moment changed everything. After fixing the string, Joe demanded that Tito play for him. Impressed by what he heard, Joe bought Tito his own guitar and immediately saw potential for a family music group.
The Jackson family rehearsed relentlessly. After school, the brothers would practice for hours, perform gigs, complete homework, and then go to bed. This demanding schedule built the foundation for their future success.
The Birth of the Jackson 5
Joe convinced Tito, Jackie, and Jermaine to form a singing group after being impressed with the vocals of Jackie and Jermaine. By 1964, younger brothers Marlon and Michael joined the group, transforming the trio into the Jackson 5. Katherine Jackson, a country-and-western music fan, helped her sons develop their harmonies by singing with them during household chores.
The group started performing at school functions and local supermarkets. When Tito was twelve, they began entering talent shows around the Gary area. In August 1967, the group won an amateur talent competition at The Apollo Theater in New York, a watershed moment that caught the attention of music industry professionals.
In 1968, Bobby Taylor of the Vancouvers discovered the talented young brothers in Chicago and arranged an audition for Motown Records in Detroit. Berry Gordy, Motown’s founder, was captivated by their performance, particularly their explosive version of Smokey Robinson’s “Who’s Lovin’ You.”
Motown Success and Chart Domination
The Jackson 5 signed with Motown Records in 1969. The label’s PR machine, led by Suzanne de Passe, promoted the group as having been discovered by Diana Ross, who presented them at industry showcases in Los Angeles.
They became the first recording act to have their first four singles reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The historic run included “I Want You Back” in 1969, followed by “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There” in 1970. These songs were crafted by The Corporation, a songwriting and production team assembled specifically for the Jackson 5.
The group’s appeal crossed racial and demographic boundaries. Their youthful energy, tight choreography, and infectious melodies made them international superstars. They appeared on major television programs, including The Ed Sullivan Show, becoming household names virtually overnight.
Between 1969 and 1975, the Jackson 5 released ten albums with Motown. They continued their success with singles such as “Mama’s Pearl,” “Never Can Say Goodbye,” and “Sugar Daddy”. Their 1974 hit “Dancing Machine” reached number two on the charts, incorporating elements of the emerging disco sound.
The Guitar Player Who Couldn’t Play
Despite being the group’s guitarist, Motown refused to allow Jackson to perform guitar on any of the Jackson 5 recording sessions, instead forcing all their guitar parts to be performed by session musicians. This frustrating restriction meant Tito’s guitar skills were visible only during live performances and television appearances.
Tito understood the business decision at the time. In a 2018 interview, he acknowledged that the studio session players were more experienced than he was as a young teenager. However, this limitation also fueled the family’s desire for greater creative control.
By 1975, the Jackson 5 had sold over 60 million records, but most of the group opted out of recording any more music for Motown, desiring creative control and royalties after learning they were earning only 2.8% of royalties.
Transition to Epic Records
In 1976, four of the Jackson brothers left Motown for Epic Records, marking a significant shift in their careers. Jermaine remained at Motown, having married Berry Gordy’s daughter, and was replaced by his youngest brother, Randy. The group couldn’t use the name “Jackson 5” due to trademark issues, so they became simply “The Jacksons.”
As a direct result of leaving Motown, Tito’s guitar work made its debut on recordings when the Jacksons moved to CBS Records in 1976. He finally had the opportunity to contribute instrumentally to studio albums, not just live performances.
The Jacksons produced successful albums, including Destiny (1978) and Triumph (1980). These records showcased the brothers’ songwriting abilities and featured hits like “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” and “This Place Hotel.”
The group reunited for the massive Victory Tour in 1984, which featured all the brothers, including Michael, who was at the peak of his Thriller-era fame. After this tour, the brothers began pursuing different directions. Their final album together, 2300 Jackson Street, was released in 1989.
Tito’s Blues Roots
Many fans don’t realize that Tito started playing guitar and playing blues music before the brothers were even singing as a group. He learned by watching his father and Uncle Luther play blues guitar on weekends, studying their fingering techniques as a young boy.
Before the Jackson 5’s Motown era, they would include about five or six blues numbers every time they performed a show. The brothers played venues on Chicago’s South Side, including the High Chaparral and Pepper’s Lounge, where blues was a regular part of their set, showcasing their Jackson background vocals.
Once Motown’s success arrived, the blues songs disappeared from their repertoire. Their new audience expected pop hits, not traditional blues. Tito occasionally showcased his blues guitar during shows, only when technical difficulties forced improvisation.
Solo Career and Return to Blues
After the Victory Tour ended, Tito took an extended break from music. He focused on raising his three sons—Taj, Taryll, and TJ—who would later form the R&B group 3T in the 1990s. Tito managed their careers and played a significant mentoring role in their musical development.
In 2003, Tito began performing as a solo blues musician. He started small, playing weddings and church benefits in Oxnard, California, with local musicians who had day jobs. He even performed at a Mexican restaurant where patrons preferred mariachi music, using these gigs to build confidence performing without his brothers.
His blues career gradually expanded to include cruise ships, clubs in Japan and France, and eventually major blues festivals across Europe and America. He toured with renowned guitarist Angelo Earl and later performed with the B.B. King Blues Band.
In 2016, he had his first commercially successful solo single on the Billboard charts with “Get It Baby,” featuring Big Daddy Kane. This achievement made him the ninth and final Jackson family sibling to place a solo single on the charts. His debut album, Tito Time, was released in Japan in late 2016 and in the United States on iTunes in April 2017.
On July 9, 2021, Jackson released “Love One Another,” the first single from his second solo album Under Your Spell. The album featured an impressive roster of guest artists, including his brother Marlon Jackson, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Neal, Bobby Rush, and Eddie Levert.
The album represented a full embrace of his blues roots. Where Tito Time had explored pop and R&B sounds, Under Your Spell focused squarely on blues music. The title track and songs like “Rock Me Baby” showcased his soulful, warm, and sometimes gritty vocal style alongside his accomplished guitar work.
Family Tragedy and Resilience
Tito’s personal life included a significant tragedy. He married Delores “Dee Dee” Martes in June 1972 at age 18. They divorced in 1988 after sixteen years of marriage. In 1994, Martes was found dead floating in a swimming pool. While initially ruled accidental, Los Angeles businessman Donald Bohana was subsequently charged with her murder and found guilty of second-degree murder in 2000.
This loss deeply affected Tito and his three sons, who were teenagers and young adults at the time. The family rallied together, with Tito dedicating himself even more to his children’s well-being and musical careers.
In 2009, Michael Jackson’s memorial service was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, with Tito and his brothers Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine, and Randy Jackson serving as pallbearers, each wearing a single spangled white glove and sunglasses. Michael’s death on June 25, 2009, at age 50, devastated the family, and the brothers still felt Michael Jackson’s absence deeply.
In a 2021 interview, Jackson said that because of his brother’s death, the month of June was difficult to deal with for him. He turned to Michael’s music as a way to remember his brother and cope with the loss.
After Michael’s death, it was revealed that Tito had married a Japanese woman, Mizuki Matsu, in 202,0 and they had a daughter named Tariana Katherine, born in March 2020.
The Consistent Jackson Brother
Tito and Jackie Jackson were the most consistently present members of the Jacksons, with Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, and Randy leaving at different times. While other brothers pursued solo mega-stardom or left the group for various reasons, Tito remained a steady presence.
In later years, Tito toured regularly with brothers Jackie and Marlon as The Jacksons. They performed the group’s classic hits for audiences around the world, keeping the family’s musical legacy alive. In August 2024, just weeks before his death, the trio performed at the Fool in Love Festival in Los Angeles.
Days before his passing, Jackson posted a message on his Facebook page from Munich, Germany, on September 11, where he visited a memorial to Michael Jackson with his brothers. The post read: “Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson. We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy.”
Musical Style and Influence
Tito possessed a warm tenor voice that blended beautifully with his brothers’ harmonies. While he wasn’t the lead vocalist, his backing vocals provided crucial texture to the Jackson 5’s signature sound. His ability to maintain pitch, interpret musical phrasing, and harmonize while dancing demonstrated his musicianship.
As a guitarist, Tito drew inspiration from blues legends, including B.B. King, who once signed the guitar Tito played on The Ed Sullivan Show. He also admired George Benson and Ernie Isley, incorporating elements of jazz fusion and funk into his playing style.
His guitar solos during Jackson’s concerts showcased versatility. During a 1975 concert in Mexico City, captured on film, 22-year-old Tito delivered mellow B.B. King-influenced blues passages before closing with sharp, stinging notes that demonstrated his technical ability.
Recognition and Legacy
Jackson was nominated for a Grammy Award three times and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Jacksons in 1997. The Jackson 5’s influence on popular music remains immeasurable. Their vocal arrangements, choreography, and crossover appeal set the template for future boy bands and family groups.
Three Jackson 5 singles have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame: “I’ll Be There” (1999), “I Want You Back” (1999), and “ABC” (2017). These songs continue to receive radio airplay and are featured in films, television shows, and talent competitions worldwide.
Tito acknowledged that as one of the quieter members of the group, his name sometimes became a punchline. Basketball legend Charles Barkley once joked, “If Tito wasn’t in the Jackson 5, would we miss him like we still feel Michael Jackson’s absence?” The comment hurt Tito deeply, but he understood his role was different from Michael’s superstardom.
What often went unrecognized was Tito’s essential contribution to the group’s success. His guitar playing during live performances added energy and musicality. His steady presence and professionalism helped keep the group functional through decades of changes, especially after the younger brother’s death pulled the family apart. His work ethic and dedication to the craft of music earned respect from fellow musicians.
Final Years and Sudden Death
In his final years, Tito remained musically active. He toured with his brothers, performed blues shows, and worked on new music. He maintained close relationships with his children and nine grandchildren, often sharing family moments on social media, reflecting the values instilled by Joe Jackson.
According to his former manager and close family friend Steve Manning, Tito suffered a heart attack while at the American Heritage Plaza shopping center in Gallup, New Mexico. He had been driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma when he stopped at the mall and experienced a sudden medical emergency.
The Gallup Police Department said an officer was flagged down at 6:17 p.m. on September 15, 2024, near the American Heritage Plaza on Highway 491 and alerted to a person requiring medical aid. Jackson was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 70 years old.
His sons, TJ, Taj, and Taryll, announced his death in a statement posted on Instagram, saying they were shocked, saddened, and heartbroken. They wrote: “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.”
The statement concluded with a request that reflected Tito’s philosophy: “Please remember to do what our father Joe Jackson always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.'”
Impact on Music and Culture
The Jackson 5 broke significant barriers in the music industry. They were one of the first African American groups to achieve mainstream pop success in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their appearance on The Jacksons variety show in 1976 made television history as the first series to feature an all-Black family cast.
Their success paved the way for future African American artists and family groups. The template they established—young performers with synchronized dance moves, tight harmonies, and crossover appeal—influenced generations of artists from New Edition to Boyz II Men to *NSYNC.
Tito’s role in this cultural phenomenon, while sometimes overshadowed by his more famous brothers, was fundamental. He provided instrumental backing, vocal harmonies, and a stabilizing presence that allowed the group to function at the highest level for decades.
His later work as a blues guitarist demonstrated artistic integrity. Rather than simply trading on his Jackson 5 fame, he dedicated himself to mastering a different genre and earning respect from blues musicians and audiences. His albums received critical acclaim from blues publications and showcased genuine musicianship.
FAQs
Q: What was Tito Jackson’s real name?
Tito Jackson’s birth name was Toriano Adaryll Jackson. He was born on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana, and went by the nickname “Tito” throughout his life and career.
Q: How many children did Tito Jackson have?
Tito Jackson had four children. He had three sons with his first wife, Delores Martes: Taj (born 1973), Taryll (born 1975), and TJ (born 1978), who formed the group 3T. He also had a daughter, Tariana Katherine, with his second wife, E Mizuki Matsui, born in 2020.
Q: Did Tito Jackson play guitar on Jackson 5 records?
No, Motown Records did not allow Tito to play guitar on Jackson 5 recordings. Session musicians performed all instrumental parts during the Motown years. Tito’s guitar work on the Jackson rhythm guitar only appeared on recordings after the group moved to Epic Records in 1976.
Q: When did Tito Jackson start his solo career?
Tito Jackson began his solo career in 2003, performing as a blues musician. He released his first solo album, Tito Time, in 2016, making him the last of the nine Jackson siblings to release a solo album.
Q: Was Tito Jackson in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes, Tito Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of the Jackson 5. He was also nominated for three Grammy Awards during his career.
Q: What was Tito Jackson’s cause of death?
Tito Jackson died from a heart attack on September 15, 2024, while traveling from New Mexico to Oklahoma. He experienced a medical emergency at a shopping mall in Gallup, New Mexico, and was pronounced dead at a local hospital at age 70.
This article celebrates the life and career of Tito Jackson, a talented musician whose contributions to one of music’s most influential groups deserve recognition. His dedication to his craft, his family, and his love of music left an enduring mark on popular culture.
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