Who would have thunk, 60 plus years ago in Gary, Indiana, on 2300 Jackson Street, in a 2-bedroom house that was home for 11 people… Tito Jackson discovering his father’s guitar would change the course of music history as we know it.
Tito’s father, Joseph Jackson, a guitarist performed right outside one of the hotbeds for Blues… Chicago, Illinois. When he wasn’t working in the steel mills, he and his Blues band, the Falcons, played gigs in around the neighboring cities.
One day, young Tito took a liking to his father’s guitar. He would sneak and play tunes he’d learn on the radio. Well, one day Tito broke a string and Joseph found out. He punished Tito, but soon learned that his son had picked up some things fooling around with the guitar. The broken string would start a musical revolution.
Tito Jackson was born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15th, 1953, in Gary Indiana to Joseph and
Katherine Jackson. One of 9 children (we’ll get to them all later!)
Older brother Jackie and young brother Jermaine would form the first resemblance of a musical group. By the time Marlon (who’s twin brother Brandon died at birth) and eventual lead singer Michael joined, they were now called the Jackson Five. The Jackson 5 would win countless contest at schools around the Gary and Chicago area and would later take their act on the road to major Black theaters like the close by Regal in Chicago, and the Apollo in Harlem, New York. After a performance at the famed Regal Theater, they are signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown Records after he saw a filmed audition tape of the brothers. In this black and white film from the summer of 1968, Tito is seen leading the band to renditions of songs from hitmakers James Brown and future labelmate Smokey Robinson’s Miracles. He is also cutting some slick guitar riffs as young Michael Jackson dances to the array of those seeing something special.
Overnight, they became sensations. Breaking records after records on the music charts and performing on tour. Television specials, animated cartoon series, and even a magazine basically centered around their every-day lives with “Right On!” All of this happened before Tito’s 18th birthday. You could say the Jacksons were America’s first Black family. Remember, this was long before the Cosby Show and sitcoms like Good Times. Everyone stopped what they were doing when the Jackson 5 appeared on television. Be it the Ed Sullivan Show, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, Soul Train, or their own television special titled what else, “Goin’ Back To Indiana!”
While the brothers did not play on record in the early Motown days, they did show their musicianship live in concert. This band of teenagers were headlining sold out shows worldwide. Tito played rhythm and lead guitar simultaneously while singing and dancing.
After several hits, the Jacksons decided to leave Motown Records. The brothers signed with CBS/Epic Records and the youngest brother Randy, replaced bassist and co-lead singer Jermaine, who decided to stay with Motown. Randy, a percussionist and keyboardist, had been performing with his brothers now known as The Jacksons since 1971. They were now able to write, produce, and play their own material. Tito can be heard wailing his guitar on the Jacksons 1980 hit, “Heartbreak Hotel.”
After joining their new label, they Jacksons immediately produced a self-titled variety series that introduced the world to the Jackson sisters. Oldest sister Rebbie, middle sister LaToya, and baby sister Janet. All six brothers eventually reunited for Motown 25 in 1983, and the Victory Tour, and an album the following year. Tito, along with Randy, Marlon, and the returning Jermaine, had a hand in selecting each of the musicians for the record shattering tour. After one final album, “2300 Jackson Street” in 1989, the Jacksons ceased from touring for decades except for a Jacksons television special, 1994’s “Jackson Family Honors,” and Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Special. After Michael’s death in 2009, the brothers got back on the road and have steadily toured in the USA and around the world.
Talent runs deep in the Jackson family. Just like Joseph and his children, Tito has children of his own that
are artists. Taj, Taryll, and TJ, formed a musical group called 3T. 3T featured songs with their father and also uncle Michael.
In his later years, Tito has popped up on multiple reality series with his brothers (Jackson Family Dynasty), Sister (Life With LaToya), and Sons (The Jacksons: Next Generation.)
While Tito may be responsible for the birth of Jacksonmania, he was actually the last member of the family to release a solo record. “Tito Time” and the bluesy “Under Your Spell,” were released in 2016 and 2021.
The Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999, three songs in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and countless accolades to name.
Tito had recently moved to Oklahoma, and was planning a music festival called “Spoons and Tunes” next
year. A reality series on fishing titled “Hooks, Lines & Singers,” was to come as well as opening an entertainment center in Tulsa called “Tito’s Spot.” A Jackson family documentary was to begin filming in October 2024.
Tito was preceded in death by ex-wife Delores ‘Dee Dee’ Jackson in 1994, brother Michael in 2009, and
father Joseph in 2018. Tito Jackson passed away on September 15, 2024. He was 70 years old.
