Singer Janet Jackson broke her silence on her brother Tito’s death as she paid tribute to him on what would have been his 71st birthday
Janet Jackson paid tribute to her late brother Toriano ‘Tito’ Jackson after he died from a heart attack last month.
On Tuesday, the 58-year-old singer took to her Instagram to share a sweet black and white childhood picture of the siblings and captioned it: “May you rest in eternal peace. I miss you so much!” Janet’s sister, La Toya Jackson, also wished the late star a happy birthday with a video shared on Instagram. She captioned it: “Happy Heavenly Birthday Tito! I will always love you!”
Jackie Jackson shared a snap on social media on Tuesday captioned: “Your first heavenly birthday is a reminder that though you may have left this world, your memory will forever be etched in our hearts.” Tito’s son Taryll posted: “If I could have one more call I’d tell you how much I love you. How thankful I am and how amazing you are. I always tried to show my love and appreciation because I always wanted you to know. I cherish all the great memories especially the past few years.
“I really got to understand you more and learn more about you. How simple you were and what mattered to you most. Our conversations and your words I can recall clearly in my head. You gave me so much and still I wish I could have more. More time, more laughter, more conversations, more lessons, more stories, more memories, more music, more father and son time. I miss you and I love you Pops. Happy Heavenly Birthday!”
Tito passed away on September 15 from a heart attack at a New Mexico hospital during a road trip with two pals. The music icon – a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee – was performing with the group as recently as August. He was photographed with Jackie Jackson and Marlon Jackson of Jackson 5 and The Jacksons performing at the Fool in Love Festival at Hollywood Park Grounds on August 31, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
At the time of his death, Entertainment Tonight reported that Steve Manning, a longtime Jackson family friend and former Jackson family manager, told the publication that Tito was driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma while with friends.
Posting to Facebook, former Jackson 5 drummer Jonathan ‘Sugarfoot’ Moffett said: “There is great, great sadness in my heart, spirit, and soul tonight. My wife and I just left and walked out of a movie we were watching at a theater just now….as she received a text from a very close friend….that my brother in heart and spirit, Tito Jackson has just passed away.
“I’m stunned and devastated to receive and hear this disheartening news. I love Tito like my brothers of blood relation. I’m stunned and dismayed. May God and Jesus Christ receive his soul and spirit with open out stretched arms and welcome him into Heaven’s gate…this is my most sincere prayer this night, this day, this month, and now….this year. I’m at a loss of spirits.
“Trying to gather my thoughts, memories of him….and mental senses…my most sincere and deepest thoughts and prayers for my second mother, Katherine (my love for Katherine….is everlasting. Dear mother, I love you dearly). My thoughts are with my nephews in heart and spirit, 3T and all his grandchildren. I love you all VERY much. You are my second family. I love you, Tito Jackson, my brother…forever, still.”
