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American guitarist and singer Tito Jackson, one of the original members of the legendary Jackson 5 group and the older brother of pop stars Michael and Janet, has died at the age of 70, his sons announced Sunday evening.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson,” his sons Taj, Taryll and TJ, who form the music group 3T, posted on Instagram alongside a photo of them with their father.

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

“Please remember to do what our dad always preached and that is ‘Love one another.’ We love you, Dad. Your boys, Taj, Taryll and TJ.”

Family friend Steve Manning told Entertainment Tonight that Tito died of a heart attack on Sunday while driving from New Mexico to his home in Oklahoma.

Tito recently performed in Germany, England and California with his brothers Marlon and Jackie as The Jacksons.

Tito was an original member of the family group The Jackson 5, along with brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.

After signing with Motown Records in 1969, they scored a string of international hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including “I Want You Back”, “ABC” and “I’ll Be There”.

His younger brother Michael, who later became a solo superstar, died in 2009 at the age of 50.

Tito, along with his brothers from The Jackson 5, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 by fellow Motown legend Diana Ross.

According to his website, Tito has been performing and touring with his own large blues and funk band since 2003.

In 2016, he became the last of the Jackson brothers to have a solo hit on the Billboard chart, with the single “Get It Baby”, followed by his debut solo album “Tito Time”.

His second album – and first blues album – “Under Your Spell” was released in 2021 and featured special guests George Benson, Bobby Rush and Stevie Wonder.

Tito is survived by his three sons. His ex-wife, their mother Dolores, died in 1994.

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