Michael Jackson first rose to fame as a child at just 8 years old with his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy
His sisters Rebbie, LaToya, and Janet also pursued solo singing careers, with Janet achieving the most success of the three.
Tito passed away at the age of 70 on Sunday, Sept. 15, becoming the second sibling of Michael’s to have died. Their brother Brandon passed away in 1957 shortly after birth, while Michael died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009.
Michael Jackson was one of the most influential figures in pop music history. At just six-years-old, he burst onto the scene as a member of The Jackson Five, where he rose to stardom with hits like “ABC” and “I Want You Back.” He started a solo career in 1971 and skyrocketed into superstardom on his own with his 1982 bestselling album Thriller — which went on to become a timeless classic (along with his other music) all of which are the basis for the current Broadway show MJ: The Musical. After Thriller, Michael scored many more hits on his own, but the foundation was laid alongside his brothers in The Jackson Five, and many of his other siblings went on to successful careers in their own rights.
Coming from the show-biz family, Michael had a strong bond with his siblings growing up, especially in the intensely busy musical group. “Well, you don’t get to do things that other children get to do, having friends and slumber parties and buddies. There were none of that for me. I didn’t have friends when I was little. My brothers were my friends,” he once said, via BrainyQuote. While Michael died in 2009 at age 50 almost of all of his siblings are still alive to continue his legacy, as well as his children Prince, 27, Paris, 26, and Blanket, 22, who all speak of him often.
In her 2021 documentary series, Janet Jackson passionately defended her older brother against sexual assault allegations, reigniting debate about the controversial case. She asserted, “My brother would never do something like that, but I’m still guilty by association — because that’s what they call it, right?” Janet also expressed her firm belief in his innocence, stating, “I could never see him commit that sort of crime. I know my brother. He didn’t have that in him.” On social media, the “Go Deep” singer has also remembered her brother with sweet throwback photos showing their deep bond and close connection. On the 13th anniversary of his death in 2022, she shared a sweet photo of the two when they were both in their 20s, seemingly posing on a hotel or building balcony. No caption was necessary as she left a white heart as the caption, sending love to him above. LaToya Jackson posted a similar sentiment on the 8th anniversary of his death, writing, “We all love and miss you.”
Joe and Katherine Jackson’s eldest child Rebbie, 74, was born in 1950. Even though she’s the oldest of her siblings, she wasn’t the first to start performing publicly. She didn’t join her siblings onstage until the 1970s, when she’d join her brothers onstage in Las Vegas, via Biography. Under the name Rebbie Jackson, she started a solo career in the 1980s, with her debut album Centipede dropping in 1984 featuring a title track of the same name. Notably, the song “Centipede” — her biggest hit to date — was also written by Michael. She then released Reaction in 1986 and and R U Tuff Enuff in 1988.
In 1968, she married Nathaniel Brown, whom she’d been childhood sweethearts with. Unfortunately, Nathaniel died in 2013, but the pair had three children together, including Austin Brown, who’s a successful musician himself. Austin has performed on songs with major artists like Jojo and Ariana Grande.
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