Tito Jackson

Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson (October 15, 1953 – September 15, 2024) was an American musician. He was a founding member of the Jackson 5 (later known as the Jacksons), a group who rose to fame in the late 1960s and 1970s with the Motown label and had continued success on the Epic label in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Tito and Jackie Jackson were the most consistently present members of the Jacksons, with Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, and Randy leaving at different times. After the end of the Victory Tour, Jackson performed session work and as a record producer. In 2001, Jackson reunited with his brothers on Michael Jackson's 30th anniversary concert special at Madison Square Garden.

Jackson began a solo career in 2003 performing as a blues musician. He 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.

Early life

Toriano Adaryll Jackson was born at St. Mary's Mercy Hospital in Gary, Indiana, on October 15, 1953. He was the third of ten children of the Jackson family: Rebbie, Jackie, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Brandon, Michael (1958–2009), Randy, and Janet who lived in a two-bedroom house in Gary. His father, Joseph (July 26, 1928 – June 27, 2018), was a steel mill worker, and played R&B in a band, the Falcons, with his brother Luther. His mother, Katherine (May 4, 1930), is a Jehovah's Witness. She played the piano, the cello, and the clarinet. At ten years of age, Tito was caught playing his father's guitar after he broke a string. After fixing the string, Joe demanded that he play for him. Once he was finished, Joe bought him his own guitar, and convinced Tito, Jackie, and Jermaine to form a singing group. He was impressed with the vocals of Jackie and Jermaine.