Tito Jackson, founding member of The Jackson 5 and older brother of Michael Jackson, has died at age 70. The singer and guitarist is believed to have suffered a heart attack in New Mexico.

Jackson’s three sons — Taj, Taryll, and TJ — issued a statement announcing the passing. “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” they stated, calling Tito an “incredible man who… will be missed tremendously.”

Forming the band in 1964, Tito rose to fame alongside his brothers Michael, Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy in the 1970s as part of the iconic Motown group, selling over 150 million records worldwide. The third of the nine Jackson children, Tito performed on several No. 1 hits such as "ABC", "I Want You Back", and "The Love You Save".

In 1980 he was inducted, alongside his brothers, into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, followed by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Self-described as a “blues man at heart,” Tito began a solo blues career in 2003, playing with the likes of the B. B. King Blues Band and Angelo Earl.