Just weeks ago, the founding member of the iconic Jackson Five and Michael Jacksons brother shared with the Mirror his reflections on a stunning musical journey, his future aspirations, and an unfulfilled dream that he was determined to realize.
In an unforeseen turn, we are now mourning Tito Jackson's sudden passing as his sons Taj Jackson, Taryll Jackson, and TJ Jackson honor their father's memory not long before Tito would have celebrated his 71st birthday.
During his last visit to London, Tito passionately recounted the group's enduring impact while gearing up to perform the much-loved classics for his adoring fans once more.
Back then, it was the poignant loss of his brother Michael that weighed heavily on him, especially as 2024 marks a somber 15 years since Michaels untimely death due to a prescription drug overdose in 2011 at the age of 50. Speaking of his brother's legacy, Tito expressed a profound sentiment: "I would always say if we didn't have him, we sure would miss him," underlining the profound loss.
"His death was such a major tragedy. The world definitely missed out on a lot of goodness from him, because he wasn't just a musician or an artist, he was a loving person. He loved to give."
Whether Michael's death brought the Jacksons closer together or further apart is a topic of much discussion. In recent years, they have been dogged by rumors of family disputes, with the latest drama involving a power struggle between the estate's executors and the Jacksons' matriarch Katherine, 93, over who controls the finances, reports the Mirror .
Tito, a founding member of The Jackson 5, performed with The Jacksons until his death. He always maintained a strong bond with Michael's children Prince, 27, Paris, 26, and Blanket, 22, visiting them whenever he flew to Los Angeles from his home in Oklahoma.
Tito also had a good relationship with most of the rest of the family, as three members joined him when he invited the Mirror to speak to him ahead of the Rewind South festival in Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, last month.
Tito, along with his brothers Marlon and Jackie and his son Taryll, were touring as the current line-up of The Jacksons. They performed many of the old hits such as Can You Feel It, I Want You Back and Shake Your Body, alongside other big names including Billy Ocean, Gabrielle and Kim Wilde.
Ahead of his gig, Tito Jackson shared his hauntingly prophetic vision about his fate, eerily similar to the way he ultimately passed. He expressed a desire to emulate his musical idols and even his brother Michael, who was rehearsing for his UK tour when he died.
Tito confided in us, "I plan to be like BB King play music until I die. Like Frank Sinatra or Sammy Davis Jr or Dean Martin. It's fun, it's peace of mind, it's pleasure. I think, for an artist, music extends their lives."
Although Tito didn't reach his 71st birthday in October, he believed that music was the elixir of youth, which makes the news of his suspected cardiac arrest all the more heart-wrenching. He had been eagerly organizing his birthday celebration, sharing with anticipation: "We are going to play some good music, do some dancing and have a party."
Reflecting on the impact of the Jackson Five, Tito acknowledged their unique contribution to music and their influence on subsequent bands. "I know the Jackson Five had a certain style of music and image, and I've seen other groups come after us, and sort of mimic that," he says.
Marlon Jackson reflected on the enduring legacy of the Jackson family's music: "Having big records, especially for Michael and The Jackson Five and The Jacksons, says a lot. They are always remembered. I didn't think I would still be hearing I Want You Back and ABC, I'll Be There and Dancing Machine on all the radios today. This is years later and the music is still playing, and it's still loved, so that says something about your craft. That's all you can wish for, to gather fans and have more people enjoy your music."
Sadly, his wish to be a great entertainer until the end was fulfilled, but it was cut short far too soon, as evident from the reaction to his final performances.
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