Tito Jackson, born Toriano Adaryll Jackson, was a renowned American musician best known as a founding member of the Jackson 5. The group achieved global stardom in the late 1960s and 1970s under the Motown label, later experiencing continued triumph with Epic Records. Besides his success with the Jackson 5, Tito embarked on a solo career in 2003, focusing on blues music. His contributions to music earned him three Grammy Award nominations and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Jackson 5.
Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson was born on October 15, 1953.
Marlon and Michael joined their brothers in the Jackson 5 in 1964, after their mother Katherine discovered their singing talent. The group dedicated themselves to intense rehearsals.
In 1965, the Jackson brothers renamed their group to the Jackson 5. They won numerous talent shows in the Gary area.
The Jackson 5, then known as the Jackson Brothers, won the Amateur Night competition at the Apollo Theater in August 1967. This victory motivated their father, Joe Jackson, to support their pursuit of a recording contract.
The Jackson 5's debut single, "Big Boy," was released in January 1968 under the Steeltown Records label.
In 1969, the Jackson 5 signed with Motown Records, releasing a string of hit songs, including chart-topping singles like "I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save," and "I'll Be There." Notably, Motown prevented Tito from playing guitar on their recordings during this era.
At the age of 18, Tito Jackson married Delores "Dee Dee" Martes in June 1972.
Taj Jackson, the eldest son of Tito Jackson and Delores Martes, was born in 1973.
Taryll Jackson, the second son of Tito Jackson and Delores Martes, was born in 1975.
The Jacksons left Motown Records and signed with CBS Records in 1976, marking the first time Tito's guitar playing was featured on their recordings.
TJ Jackson, the youngest son of Tito Jackson and Delores Martes, was born in 1978.
Tito Jackson and Delores Martes divorced in 1988.
Delores Martes, Tito Jackson's ex-wife, was found dead in a swimming pool in 1994. The death was initially ruled an accident but later investigated as a homicide.
Tito Jackson, along with his brothers, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of the Jackson 5.
Los Angeles businessman Donald Bohana was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Delores Martes, Tito Jackson's ex-wife, in 1998.
Tito Jackson reunited with his brothers for Michael Jackson's 30th anniversary concert special at Madison Square Garden in 2001.
In 2003, Tito Jackson launched his solo career, performing as a blues musician in various clubs.
In 2007, Tito Jackson served as a judge on the second season of the BBC celebrity singing competition, "Just the Two of Us." He filled the role previously held by singer Lulu.
Tito Jackson, along with his brothers Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine, and Randy, served as pallbearers at Michael Jackson's memorial service, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009.
Tito Jackson co-produced "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty" alongside his brothers in 2009 after Michael's death.
In 2016, Tito Jackson marked his first commercially successful solo single on the Billboard charts with "Get It Baby," featuring Big Daddy Kane, from his album "Tito Time." This achievement made him the ninth Jackson sibling to chart a solo single.
"When the Magic Happens," featuring Jocelyn Brown, was released on April 1, 2017, as the first single from Tito Jackson's album, "Tito Time".
Tito Jackson's album, "Tito Time," was released on iTunes in the U.S. in April 2017.
Tito Jackson launched his album "Tito Time" in the UK market in September 2017.
Tito Jackson performed his single "One Way Street" from his album "Tito Time" at the 2019 Living Legends foundation's (LLF) Annual Awards Dinner and Gala.
Tito Jackson released "Love One Another," the first single from his second solo album, "Under Your Spell," on July 9, 2021. The single featured his brother Marlon Jackson, Kenny Neal, Bobby Rush, and Stevie Wonder.
In a 2021 interview with the Manchester Evening News, Tito Jackson shared that he finds solace in Michael's music in remembrance of his brother's passing. He expressed the difficulty of dealing with the month of June and defended Michael against allegations.
On September 16, 2022, Tito Jackson performed at Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi, Mississippi, alongside Kenny Neal, as part of their "Straight From The Heart Tour."
On March 17, 2023, Tito Jackson collaborated with Brazilian artist Natalia Damini on the song "Attitude" and its accompanying music video, bringing a Motown and early Jacksons feel to the project.
Tito Jackson passed away on September 15, 2024.