Days before his unexpected death, Tito Jackson visited a memorial for his late brother Michael Jackson.
Tito shared a photo on Instagram last Wednesday of himself and his brothers Jackie and Marlon Jackson paying their respects to Michael, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, at the “beautiful” Orlando di Lasso Statue in Munich ahead of their concert at Circus Krone.
“We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive,” Tito wrote of the “beloved” King of Pop, who famously brought his “HIStory” world tour to the German city in 1997.
The Jacksons’ Munich show ended up being Tito’s last, as he died Sunday at age 70.
The late guitarist’s sons, Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson, announced the news in a post to their band 3T’s Instagram account.
“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” the brothers wrote, calling Tito “an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.”
“Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another,’” Taj, 51, Taryll, 49, and TJ, 46, told their followers, using the title of Tito’s 2021 solo song. “We love you Pops.”
While an official cause of death has yet to be released, longtime Jackson family friend and former manager Steve Manning told “Entertainment Tonight” that Tito suffered a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma.
Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson, Tito was best known as a founding member of the Jackson 5, which also featured his brothers Michael, Jackie, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson.
The group’s hit songs from the 1960s and ’70s included “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” “I’ll Be There” and “The Love You Save.”
They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Since Michael’s death, Tito, Jackie, 73, and Marlon, 67, had continued to perform together as the Jacksons. It is unclear whether they will cancel their upcoming tour dates in the wake of Tito’s death.
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