By Danielle Broadway

LOS ANGELES – Tito Jackson, founding member of the popular Black American Motown group The Jackson 5 with his brothers, died on Sunday at the age of 70, his family said.

The Jackson 5 was a band of teenage and pre-teen siblings Michael Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson and Tito Jackson. They were managed by their father, Joe Jackson, and produced several hits including “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.”

Tito Jackson’s sons, TJ, Taj and Taryll, confirmed on Monday that their father had died. No cause of death was provided.

“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” they wrote in an Instagram post on Monday. “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’,” they added.

“He will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us,” they added.

The Jackson 5 was nominated for two Grammys and inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

Tito Jackson, known for his skill on rhythm guitar, launched a solo career in 2003 performing blues music.

Younger brother Michael Jackson, known as the “King of Pop,” died in 2009 from acute propofol intoxication. Joe Jackson died in 2018. – Reuters