Tito Jacksonwhose death this week has shocked fansvisited a memorial for his brother Michael just days before his own death from a suspected heart attack.
After Michael died in 2009, the blues musician mourned his brother for the rest of his life.
One of his final social media posts showed him visiting a memorial to Michael with his brothers Marlon and Jackie.
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”We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy,” Tito wrote in what would be his final Instagram post.
“Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”
His sons have since taken over their father’s account following his death, sharing sweet tributes to their “Poppa3t.”
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Tito described hearing about his brother Michael’s death as “the worst feeling I have experienced in my entire life.” He said upon losing him, it “seemed like my whole inner self melted.”
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“I was at home building the studio that this album was recorded on and my son called me and he said, ‘Dad is it true what they’re saying on the news about Uncle Michael?’” he recalled.
Tito asked what they were saying and was told there were reports the Thriller singer was “being rushed to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest.”
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Tito “immediately” called his mother Katherine and started tracking the news. His cousin then called and asked him to go to his parents’ house along with his siblings.
He said he was filling his car up with petrol for the drive to the home LA when his sister Janet called and asked him, “Tito, are you driving?”
He said “right then, I knew.”
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“(I knew) that she was gonna give me some really really bad information and that’s how I found out my brother had passed away.
“Saddest day of my life.”
Michael’s personal physician Conrad Murray was ultimately convicted of involuntary manslaughter over the singer’s death, which was caused by a lethal combination of sedatives and propofol, an anesthetic.
Tributes have been flowing in for Tito, 70, following his death.
The Jackson 5 founding member’s three sons, Taj, Tj and Taryll, took to their band 3T’s Instagram to share a joint message.
“Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” the trio wrote alongside a sweet image of their dad playing with them when they were young.
“Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’
“Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously.
“It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”
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