Tito Jackson, the brother of Michael Jackson and a founding member of The Jackson 5, had died. He was 70.
His family confirmed the news of his passing early morning Monday in a statement posted to Instagram.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” his three sons, Taj, Taryll and TJ, wrote in a joint Instagram statement Monday.
They added, “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken.”
He died of an apparent heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma on Sunday, former Jackson family manager Steve Manning told Entertainment Tonight. However, his official cause of death has not yet been revealed.
The brothers described their late father as an “incredible man” who was always thinking of others.
“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 wrote. “Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously.”
“It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us,” the continued. “Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”
They signed the note from “your boys,” and shared a slideshow of snaps showing different moments throughout the musical artist’s storied life.
The post was flooded with touching tribute messages in the comments section of the post.
“Sending condolences from my family to your family. Your Father was a great man, who will be missed and loved forever. Blessings always ♾️,” one person wrote.
“So sorry for your loss. He’s dancing with Michael again 💜,” a second person wrote of the “Billie Jean” singer, who died in 2009.
“Thank you tito for picking up that guitar🤍,” a third fan wrote.
Tito, born Toriano Adaryll Jackson, was known for being the guitarist in the popular band with his brothers — Micahel, Jackie, Jermaine, and Marlon — which was founded in 1964 in their native Gary, Indiana.
The group was managed by their father, Joe Jackson, and was known for hits including “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There.”
The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.