Tito Jackson, Iconic Jackson 5 Guitarist, Dies at 70

GARY, Ind. — Tito Jackson, a founding member of the legendary Jackson 5, has passed away at the age of 70, sparking a wave of tributes from fans and admirers.

On Monday, mourners gathered outside the Jackson family home in Gary, Indiana, to pay their respects. Among them was artist Demont Pinder, who created a heartfelt painting of Tito Jackson outside the house. Pinder, who had flown in from Washington, D.C. for his anniversary trip, decided to extend his visit to honor Jackson after hearing the news of his death.

Tito Jackson rose to fame in the 1970s with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael as part of the Jackson 5. The group’s iconic hits, such as “ABC” and “I’ll Be There,” became the soundtrack of a generation. Tito’s contributions were instrumental in the success of the group and the subsequent solo career of Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” who passed away in 2009.

According to a statement from Tito’s sister, Janet Jackson, he died of a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma. Tito had recently relocated to a ranch in Claremore, Oklahoma.

The Jackson 5's story, from their modest beginnings in Gary to their rise to fame, has been widely documented, including in the 1992 ABC mini-series “The Jacksons: An American Dream.”

Pinder, who documented the creation of his tribute painting on his iPad, expressed his deep admiration for the Jackson 5, recalling a memorable encounter with Tito in 2012. Fans like Regina Weatherspoon and Kanika McDonald also paid their respects, leaving heartfelt messages and flowers at the family home.

Born on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana, Tito Jackson was remembered fondly for his role as the group's guitarist, a skill he learned from his father, Joe Jackson, who passed away in 2018. Tito's legacy lives on through his music and the impact he made on countless fans around the world.