The Legacy of Tito Jackson: A Conversation with Billboard
Tito Jackson, one of the five founding members of the beloved Motown group the Jackson 5, passed away on September 15, 2022, at the age of 70, due to a suspected heart attack in Gallup, NM. In this exclusive interview with Billboard, Tito reflects on his life, career, and the legacy of the Jackson 5.
Early Days of the Jackson 5
Before the Jackson 5 became a household name, it was just Tito, Jackie, and Jermaine singing together. "We weren’t doing any gigs," Tito recalls. "It was just us singing around the house, Jackie, Jermaine, and me. Then we heard Michael sing at a school function, an elementary school play, and that’s when we put him in the band." The rest, as they say, is history.
Signing with Motown
Tito shares the story of how the Jackson 5 auditioned for Berry Gordy at Motown. "We did the audition for Berry, and he was there. Suzanne de Passe was there. [Motown artist] Bobby Taylor was there, and Berry was in the corner, checking it out and listening, trying to not like it. But he really enjoyed it." The Jackson 5 was signed to Motown, and their first four or five records were predicted to go to number one.
Meeting Diana Ross
Tito remembers the first time he met Diana Ross at Berry Gordy’s home in Detroit. "He gave us the wrong iron. Some putter or something. We tore the yard up trying to do that." The Jackson 5 performed for the Motown stars, including Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, the Four Tops, and the Temptations. "It was like a family," Tito says. "The Motown staff was very kind to us. They treated us like children."
Relationships with Brothers
Tito reflects on his relationships with his brothers. "Our relationships were always good because we did everything together. We hung out together. We stayed together. When we went on the road, we shared rooms. If we were going to the movies, we all went to the movies together." The brothers also had a passion for sports, particularly baseball. "I enjoyed playing the game, and I played about two years in Little League before the music took off," Tito says.
The Music
Tito talks about the Jackson 5’s music, including their bubblegum pop songs and their more mature ballads like "I’ll Be There." "I think it was a good move to show the versatility in the group, that we weren’t just about up-tempo young songs," he says. "We could deliver love songs, and ‘I’ll Be There’ was perfect."
Legacy
When asked what it means to him to have been a part of the Jackson 5, Tito says, "A person comes into this world and it’s what you leave behind. I don’t know if I left enough behind, because what I have left behind is music, and if you can bring happiness to some people, that’s more than most people have brought."
Conclusion
Tito Jackson’s legacy is one of music, family, and joy. His contributions to the Jackson 5 and Motown will never be forgotten. As he says, "I still have a lot to give as do the brothers, because the music just flows through our family. I think I was put here to do music."
FAQs
Q: What was the Jackson 5’s biggest hit?
A: The Jackson 5 had many hits, but some of their most popular songs include "I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save," and "I’ll Be There."
Q: Who was the lead singer of the Jackson 5?
A: Michael Jackson was the lead singer of the Jackson 5.
Q: What was the Jackson 5’s music style?
A: The Jackson 5’s music style was a mix of pop, rock, and R&B.
Q: How did the Jackson 5 get signed to Motown?
A: The Jackson 5 auditioned for Berry Gordy at Motown and were signed to the label.
Q: What was the Jackson 5’s relationship like with Diana Ross?
A: The Jackson 5 performed for Diana Ross at Berry Gordy’s home in Detroit and were treated like family by the Motown staff.
Q: What did Tito Jackson do before the music took off?
A: Tito Jackson played baseball in Little League before the music took off.