Tito Jackson, a founding member of the Jackson 5 who, along with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, became a teen heartthrob in the 1970s, has died.

He was 70.

Passing details on Tito Jackson

According to a statement released by a spokesperson for the family, Jackson died Sunday from a heart attack while driving to Oklahoma from New Mexico. Jackson had been recently living in Oklahoma, about 25 miles northeast of Tulsa, reports Tulsa World.

He told the publication that he ‘found the peace he was looking for’ in the small city of about 20,000 residents.

‘I always wanted to get away from the West Coast and experience living somewhere with new people and new culture,’ Jackson said.

The singer also revealed his family had some roots in nearby city of Tulsa, where his uncle Samuel Jackson ran an undertaking business in 1917.

Jackson said his uncle’s business was burned down during the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921, but they were able to rebuild the funeral home.

Tito Jackson’s music career

Toriano Adaryll Jackson was born on Oct. 15, 1953, in Gary to Joe and Katherine (Scruse) Jackson. Tito was the charming guitarist in the Jackson 5, a skill he said he picked up by watching his father. The elder Mr. Jackson died in 2018.

Tito was the second oldest, after Jackie, followed in age by Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.

The Jackson 5 was a household name in the 1970s, regularly appearing on television, sometimes next to Cher or Diana Ross. With more than a dozen albums with a line of hits that included “ABC” and “I’ll Be There”, their music was a soundtrack for a young generation.

Legacy

Tito is survived by his three sons Taj, 41, Taryll, 39, and TJ, 46 – who were in the band 3T – and nine grandchildren.

Tito’s sons shared a picture and an emotional tribute to their father, writing: ‘It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us.

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“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.

‘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.”

‘Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be “Tito Time” for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is “Love One Another.” We love you Pops. Your boys, Taj, Taryll and TJ.’

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s “First-Time Buyer’s Club,” a half hour series spotlighting the house hunting journeys of first-time home buyers, is set to return with all-new episodes beginning Friday, September 13 at 8pm ET/PT.

“First-Time Buyer’s Club” is an authentic and in-depth look at the exciting but complex journey of becoming a homeowner for the very first time, no matter the stage in life.

Amina Stevens, a former teacher-turned-realtor believes there is a path for everyone to become a homeowner. Filmed across the Tampa Bay area, each episode follows Amina as she creates a custom plan for new clients, navigating the many pros and cons of various homes and locales. Amina goes out of her way to educate and inspire clients who may be intimidated by the overwhelming housing market. By investigating each client’s unique situation, Amina takes pride in helping her clients break through the myths about home ownership so they can one day realize their dreams.

The season kicks off with two back-to-back half hour episodes on Friday, September 13 at 8pm ET/PT. In the first episode, viewers meet Dwayne and Lynnise, a military family who’s lived in Guam for the last three years and have only a few days in Tampa to find a home.

The next episode will feature Kashel and Brent, a young couple who are financially ready and on the hunt for their perfect home in a real estate bubble. But with a wish list that includes a two-car garage and a nice backyard, finding the right location at the right price proves to be a challenge for Amina.

In other episodes throughout the season, Angela, a single mother, is featured who is in search of a multi-generational home she can share with her adult son, and Tina, a medical professional who’s looking to buy a home on her own for the first time at age 40.

“First-Time Buyer’s Club” is produced by Red Arrow Industries.

Amazon MGM Studios and Orion Pictures has released the official trailer for the Nickel Boys, a new film starring Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

About Nickel Boys

Based on the book “The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead, Nickel Boys chronicles the powerful friendship between two young Black teenagers navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida.

“Elwood Curtis’s college dream shatters alongside a two-lane Florida highway. Bearing the brunt of an innocent misstep, he’s sentenced to the netherworld of Nickel Academy, a brutal reformatory sunk deep in the Jim Crow South. He encounters another ward, the seen-it-all Turner. The two Black teens strike up an alliance: Turner dispensing fundamental tips for survival, Elwood, clinging to his optimistic worldview. Backdropped by the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, Elwood and Turner’s existence appear worlds away from Rev. Martin Luther King’s burnished oratory. Despite Nickel’s brutality, Elwood strives to hold onto his humanity, awakening a new vision for Turner.”

The film will be in select theaters only on October 25.

Check out the trailer