Tito Jackson: There is one member of the Jackson family that remains greatly underrated and that’s Janet Jackson.
Perhaps if one is to mention the Jackson family, people would only recognize Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. However there is one name that one cannot afford to ignore is Tito Jackson who has been known as the hidden gem of the famous Jackson musical family. Tito has successfully created his own place in the musical arena and even to date making his mark on the musical industry as a solo singer and of course as the integral member of the Jackson 5’s band. In this article, fans of Tito Jackson will get to learn more about his life, his musical career and achievements.
Who is Tito Jackson?
Tito Jackson is born on 15th Oct 1953 in Gary Indiana; his full name is Toriano Adaryll Jackson; he was born to Joseph Jackson and Katherine Jackson and is one of the nine children. He is quite popular for being a member of the Jackson 5 together with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and the famous Michael Jackson. Since some of his siblings sometimes got famous and all the attention, Tito was an essential part of the family’ s band.
Tito was also the guitarist of the group, who supplied the beat and movement which backed up his brothers’ singing. His mechanical skills on stringed instrument was one of the ways through which the band was shaped in to one of the most successful musical groups in the seventies. He was quite instrumental in the production of Jackson 5’s anthems such as ‘I Want You Back’ and ‘ABC’.
Credit to the Jackson 5: the Role of Tito Jackson
Whereas people enjoyed Michael Jackson’s thrilling voice and dancing skills, Tito Jackson was among the people who assisted in developing the Jackson 5’s sound. He was also responsible for the guitar with which he contributed to the formation of the group’s sound which otherwise was dominated by Michael and Jermaine on vocals.
Tito also played a very crucial role in the live bands performance. He was good on bass and always managed to keep the rhythm as well as the harmony of the group intact. It should have been this way, but due to Tito’s steady rhythm guitar, the group’s live shows were complete with that feel that made the listeners dance. We can never underestimate the role he played writing songs such as “I’ll Be There’ and ‘Dancing Machine’.
Tito Jackson’s Solo Career
When the Jackson 5 dissolved in the late 1970 s, Tito Jackson started considering a possibility of starting his solo career. Contrary to his siblings who made their debut in the commercial realm without delay Tito had to follow the long winding road to a solo success. His production and studio work was done on a regular bases for he rarely performed live in public, preferred studio work and family life.
Tito Jackson released his first solo album in 2003 called “I Gotta Play”, this album comprised of blues guitar works. The album was well received for its credibility as well as the manner in which Tito incorporated different music categories of blues, R&B and funk in his songs. Such songs as “We Made It” and “That’s My Friend You’re Talkin’ About” were proved that Tito is a talented singer, and he loves the music.
In 2016 Tito further produced his second solo album titled as “Tito Time” which actually signaled the comeback of Tito. The album incorporated guest contributions from other singers, including Big Daddy Kane and Betty Wright and included funk, soul and Pop songs. The song ‘Get It Baby’ broke into the charts and with that Tito found his bearings to establish himself in the music industry as a solo artist.
Tito Jackson’s Musical Style
Tito Jackson’s music is therefore dominated by the elements of blues, soul and R&B music. As a guitarist Tito is Versatile and has nice rhythmic control and the ability to switch between different genres of music easily. In his solo records he is especially inclined to guitar virtuosity, using brilliant riffs & solos.
And before this, even in the Jackson 5, everybody could notice Tito’s soft spot for the blues. His playing of the guitar brought a dying style into the band which was unique when compared to other pop bands in production at that time. Bluesy licks were added into the blend of pop music giving richness to the music composed by the Jackson 5 which Tito did a great job in adding.
what make this difference is maybe the fact that in his solo works, Tito’s choice of the instruments is more evident. Regardless of whether Tito is jamming to a high octane funk or in the slow blues Tito has a passion for the music. People enjoyed his true to life and real music to life feeling and that part of him is something he has taken with him.
How Tito Jackson Has Impacts The Future Generation
That is why it remains unclear why Tito Jackson, despite his minor success in his music career, had such an impact. Being one of the Jackson 5 members who started thrilling the audiences, he provided a bench mark to be emulated by future generations of musicians especially the R&B/Pop artists. Thus, the Jackson 5 contributed to an integration of the racial segregation in the music/entity and paved way for other artists of color in the industry.
Tito has also done some excellent work by playing guitar which has inspired many wannabes musicians. Due to the fact that he is able to balance the technical and the expressiveness in his playing the guitarist has garnered the esteem of other guitar players and lovers of music. Even his work with the Jackson 5 is relevant to musicians all over the world today and through his solo music he has garnered a fan base who understands and recognizes his efforts towards blues and soul music.
Tito Jackson’s Personal Life
Among all the Jackson children, Tito Jackson has been expected not to be so popular as other children in the family. He married Delores “Dee Dee” Martes in 1972, and the couple had three sons: Taj, Taryll and T. J. Jackson. His two sons Timmy and Tito, formed a group known as 3T and maintained the family’s music tradition. Unfortunately, Delores died in 1994.
Despite the personal problems that Tito has encountered in his lifetime, he is still passionate in his musical career as well as being devoted to his family. He has also involved himself with several organizations and has embraced social responsibility of participating in matters that he feels might be relevant to him or close to his heart such as childhood education and music therapy. This is something Tito has strongly advocated especially the use of music for healing and to impact the lives of the young people.
Other Contributions – Tito Jackson
Not only music, but Tito Jackson has been involved into diverse other activities during the years. He has also done interviews with many television programmes and documentaries concerning the Jackson family giving people a glimpse of his life and his career. Tito has also gone behind the mixing desk as a music producer, and assisting in the production of other artists.
However, the most philanthropic activities that Tito involves himself in numerous charities such as HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, Cancer related research. He is a Generous man and has been involved in many charitable activities and has always encouraged other people to help the society.
Collaborations with Other Artists
Tito Jackson has collaborated with many artists in his entire musical career coming from his juvenile live shows as a member of the Jackson 5, to his present solo work. His works include other people from Jackson family and other music giants of diverse music types. Some of the great achievements that can be named are the cooperation with Stevie Wonder, Barry White, and Gladys Knight.
Thus, it seems possible to note that Tito did not record only with artists of some particular genres, he had an opportunity to cooperate with musicians from different fields, which can be considered an evidence of his readiness for experimenting. Some of his past collaborations with other artists have made the best out of those artists due to his natural ability to read rhythms and melodies.
That is why Tito Jackson deserves more attention.
Despite the fact that Tito Jackson has never been as popular as Michael Jackson, he worked for music quite a lot and the results of his work cannot be underestimated. He actively contributed to the group’s success and has remained to be an artist with more meaningful contributions in his solo career. Tito’s talent in guitar playing, as a composer, and as a live performer made him to be recognized by his peers and his legacy is still apparent nowadays.
Tito’s story gives the message of hard work, talent, and passion towards music to the world. This is why his ability to remain faithful with the music he produces but at the same time grow as an artist is something very special about him in the music industry.
Conclusion
This article has clearly shown how Tito Jackson career as a musician has spanned the year and how he has been able to endure in the industry. Since the beginning of the Jackson 5 up to the present time Tito is always a vital part in the family line of Jacksons. Though he is not usually in the limelight, however, the impact that he has made in music and other related styles is immeasurable.
This is why I consider Tito as a true artist and a true human being because he remains committed to music, family and philanthropy. Tito Jackson’s work will just keep on rising as fans keep on learning him and keep increasing in future years.