Tito Jackson

Tito Jackson (born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15 1953 in Gary, Indiana) is an African-American singer and guitarist, formerly a member of The Jackson 5. Born the third eldest and second eldest brother, many have credited him for the start of the Jackson musical dynasty after his father caught him playing his guitar as a child.

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October 15 - 1953 - Gary, Indiana - African-American - Singer - Guitarist - The Jackson 5

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A gifted child at a young age, Tito heralded his talent from his father, Joseph, who was the leader of a blues band, called the Falcons. Joseph was also a talented guitarist. Unfortunately, the Falcons never got off the ground and Joseph was forced to lay it down and carry on with his full-time job as a steel-mill crane operator. While he was gone, Tito and his brothers Jackie and Jermaine played with Joseph's guitar with their mother, Katherine's blessing until Joseph returned home from work.

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Joseph - Blues - Guitarist - Jackie - Jermaine - Katherine

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The boys were careful until one time when Tito got used to the guitar that he broke a string. When Joseph went to investigate and found out that his eight-year-old son had been playing with it, he threatened to whoop him, then changed his mind and got Tito to play for him. Joseph was impressed by Tito's talents and equally impressed with 11-year-old Jackie and 7-year-old Jermaine's vocal talents. It was at this point that Joseph began to envision a singing group for his sons and with the help of two neighborhood friends, who played instruments, formed The Jackson Brothers.

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By 1967, the lineup had included younger brothers, 10-year-old Marlon and 9-year-old Michael, and they were now known as The Jackson Five. By the time Tito had turned 15, he had moved up from rhythm guitar to lead guitar while Jermaine played bass and sung co-lead with Michael. Tito and his brothers found success after signing with Motown in 1969 and went on to score hits such as "I Want You Back", "ABC", "I'll Be There" and "Never Can Say Goodbye".

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1967 - Marlon - Michael - Rhythm guitar - Motown - 1969 - I Want You Back - ABC - I'll Be There - Never Can Say Goodbye

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Around the same time, Tito had fallen for a Puerto Rican beauty named Delores "Dee-Dee" Martez and the two married in the summer of 1972. Delores was 17, Tito was barely 18 and was one of the first Jacksons to marry at a young age. The couple went on to have three sons. Tito was often known as "the quiet member" of the Jackson family and also "the most serious" of the group.

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Puerto Rican - 1972

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Tito remained with the group when they signed with Epic in 1976 and left the Jackson 5 moniker to be simply known as The Jacksons. By the end of their careers together in 1990, Tito settled into his private life but not without divorcing Martez that year after 18 years of marriage. In 1997, Tito and his brothers were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Around the same time, Tito was managing his three sons' own music career as they had formed as 3T.

Related Topics:
Epic - 1976 - 1990 - 1997 - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - 3T

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If Tito was the first to make a move in building the Jackson family empire, he was the last of the Jacksons to go solo. In 2003, Tito released his first album and reinvented himself as a blues musician. The solo album, titled "I Gotta Play", only consisted of five songs: 'Call My Job', 'Caledonia', 'I Gotta Play', 'Stormy Monday' and 'Big Legged Woman' yet they were all featured in his tour around California in recent months. None were released. He was currently seen on the recent BET Awards thanking a national audience for support in his younger brother Michael's trial after he was acquitted. Tito also hosted the acquittal party for brother Michael along with sister Janet at the Chumash Indian Casino near Santa Maria in June.

Related Topics:
2003 - BET

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Though known as 'the most serious' of the Jackson's his public perception is often associated with clumsiness, foolishness and being hot-headed. He is often the subject of jokes when compared to Michael on late night shows such as The Late Show with David Letterman. He is, however, a huge supporter of his brother Michael and is often featured on current event shows such as Larry King Live defending his innocence and actions, especially with brother Jermaine Jackson.

Related Topics:
The Late Show with David Letterman - Larry King Live - Jermaine Jackson

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