Tito Jackson, member of beloved pop group the Jackson 5, dies at 70

Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5, has died. He was 70.

Jackson was the third of nine children, including global superstars Michael and Janet, and was part of a music-making family whose songs have sold hundreds of millions of copies.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” his sons TJ, Taj and Taryll Jackson said in a statement posted on Instagram late Sunday.

The Jackson 5, among the last of the major groups launched through Berry Gordy's Motown empire, included teenage and pre-teen brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and lead singer Michael. Gordy signed them up in the late 1960s, when Motown's power was slipping and tastes were shifting from the slick pop-soul of Motown's prime to the funkier sounds of Sly and the Family Stone.

“I Want You Back,” the group's breakthrough hit, was openly modeled on Sly and the Family Stone and topped the charts in 1969. The Jacksons followed with three more No. 1 songs, "ABC," “The Love You Save" and “I’ll Be There," and also hit the top 5 with “Mama's Pearl” and “Never Can Say Goodbye."

Some called their music “bubblegum soul.”

By mid-decade, the Jackson 5's appeal was fading and the group, except Jermaine, moved to Epic and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Their latter hits included “Enjoy Yourself,” “Lovely One” and “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)." Michael Jackson became a multi-platinum solo artist in the 1980s and his collaborations with his brothers became rare after the 1984 album “Victory."

The Jackson 5 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, introduced at the ceremony by longtime friend Diana Ross.

“His talent as a musician was undeniable, ensuring that their live performances met the expectation of their fans who loved their records. He was low-key and at the same time commanded respect…the same respect he showed to others,” Motown founder Berry Gordy said in a statement. “You could say Tito was the glue that held the Jackson 5 together on their journey to superstardom.”

Raised in Gary, Indiana, the Jackson 5 had been formed under the guidance of their father, Joe Jackson, a steelworker and guitar player. Michael and sibling La Toya would accuse him of abusive behavior. Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson was the least-heard member of the group, working as a background singer who played guitar.

Michael Jackson died at age 50 on June 25, 2009. Speaking to The Associated Press in December 2009, Tito Jackson said that his younger brother's death pulled the family closer together.

“I would say definitely it brought us a step closer to each other. To recognize that the love we have for each other when one of us is not here, what a great loss,” he said, adding he would personally never “be at peace with it.”

“There’s still moments when I just can’t believe it. So I think that’s never going to go away,” he said.

In 2014, Jackson said that he and his brothers still felt Michael Jackson's absence in their shows, which continued with international tours.

“I don’t think we will ever get used to performing without him. He’s dearly missed," Jackson said, noting that his brother's spirit "is with us when we are performing. It gives us a lot of positive energy and puts a lot of smiles on our faces."

Days before his death, Jackson posted a message on his Facebook page from Germany on Sept. 11, where he visited a memorial to Michael Jackson with his brothers.

“Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson. We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive," Jackson wrote.

Jackson was the last of the nine siblings to release a solo project with his 2016 debut, “Tito Time.” He released a song in 2017, “One Way Street,” and told the AP in 2019 that he was working on a sophomore album.

Jackson said he purposely held back from pursuing a solo career because he wanted to focus on raising his three sons, who formed their own music group, 3T. Jackson's website offers a link to a single featuring 3T and Stevie Wonder titled, “Love One Another.”

Earlier this year, Jackson settled in a house in Claremore, Oklahoma near Tulsa, Tulsa World reported. “I always wanted to get away from the West Coast and experience living somewhere with new people and new culture,” the paper quoted Jackson as saying. “California is ... different.”

Jackson had ties to the area: His uncle, Samuel Jackson, had opened Jackson Undertaking Co. in Tulsa in 1917, and when it burned down during the Tulsa Race Massacr e in 1921, Samuel Jackson was hired by a white-owned funeral home to embalm the bodies of Black residents who were killed, the paper reported. He later rebuilt his own company.

Jackson also is survived by his brothers Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Jackie, his sisters Janet, Rebbie and La Toya, and their mother, Katherine. Their father died in 2018.

Jackson's death was first reported by Entertainment Tonight.

FILE - Pop star Michael Jackson, center, his mother Katherine Jackson, right, and brother Tito Jackson, left, leave Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria, Calif., April 7, 2005, after another day of testimony in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

FILE - From left, brothers Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Marlon Jackson pose for a portrait together in Beverly Hills, Calif., Dec. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

FILE - Singer Tito Jackson arrives at the opening night of, "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour," in Los Angeles, Jan. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, File)

FILE - The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, front right; Marlon Jackson, front left; Tito Jackson, back left; Jackie Jackson, back center; and Jermaine Jackson, back right; pose for this undated photo together in Los Angeles. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Tito Jackson, a member of the famed Jackson 5, poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, July 24, 2019, to promote his solo project, a new version of his 2017 song "One Way Street." (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Matt Murray felt tingles in making sure to take in the moment during pregame warmups and the national anthem before making his first NHL start in nearly 21 months.

The 30-year-old, two-time Stanley Cup-winner felt an even bigger wave of emotion come over him once the final horn sounded and Murray was mobbed by his teammates following his 25-save performance in a 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

“A big release,” Murray said, in coming to the realization of the exhaustive work he’s put in spending much of the past year rehabbing following bilateral hip surgery.

“I think I took it as a challenge. It was a long road. A big mountain to climb,” Murray said. “But I kept this moment in the front of my mind on those days where it felt tough.”

Murray is best known for opening his career with Pittsburgh, where he won two Cups, including his rookie season in 2015-16 when he posted a 15-6 record in the playoffs.

The win on Friday was the 147th of Murray’s career, and first since a 33-save outing in Toronto’s 6-2 win over Florida on March 23, 2023. His last start came two days later in a loss at Carolina, while he also had a mop-up outing in a backup role a week later in a loss to Detroit.

Otherwise, Murray spent much of the past calendar year wondering if he’ll ever play another NHL game again, while regaining his form with the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate. He closed last season going 1-2 in three starts, and had a 4-1-2 record, including a shutout, when Toronto called him up Friday, with Anthony Stolarz sidelined four to six weeks after having knee surgery.

Coach Craig Berube expressed confidence in Murray before the game by saying “he still has a fire inside.”

Afterward, Berube congratulated Murray for being cool and composed.

“I didn’t notice too much emotion or anything like that. He was pretty dialed in,” Berube said. “It’s a big commitment he made to want to get back and play in the NHL. Went through a lot and very happy for him.”

Murray made several key stops in the opening two periods, and got a boost from Toronto’s offense in building a 5-1 lead over the slumping Sabres, who dropped to 0-9-3 in their past 12.

Murray also got a few assists from the officials, who disallowed two goals.

Alex Tuch’s goal, which would have tied the game at 1 early in the first period, was disallowed when a linesman ruled Buffalo’s Jason Zucker high-sticked Toronto Chris Tanev entering the zone. Zucker was issued a double-minor penalty for drawing blood.

Owen Power then had a goal disallowed that would have cut the lead to 5-4 with 3:26 left. Toronto, however, successfully challenged Buffalo’s Sam Lafferty for goalie interference. Replays showed Lafferty’s skate hitting Murray’s stick just before Power scored on a shot from the right point.

“I had no chance,” Murray said on the second disallowed goal. “I was definitely hoping that they were going to make the right call. I think they did.”

Maple Leafs players praised Murray for his performance and resilience, knowing what the goalie has endured.

“Mentally to clock in every single day for that long, it’s unbelievable,” forward Max Domi said. “That’s stuff that you guys as media members and the fans don’t see, but we as players do. And I mean, it’s inspirational for us. We all look up to him and we’re super happy for him.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Matt Murray, left, makes a save against Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) controls the puck in front of Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Matt Murray (30) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Matt Murray (30) plays during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Matt Murray, right, celebrates with center Bobby McMann (74) and left wing Nicholas Robertson (89) after their win in an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. Toronto won 6-3. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)