Tito Jackson's response to people saying he would never release a solo album: “I'm gonna fool 'em”

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Courtesy of Tariano Jackson/Beatroot LLCRock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson of The Jackson 5 is on the charts now as a solo act with the remix of “One Way Street,” a song from his 2016 debut solo album, Tito Time. 

Jackson remembers most people believed he would never release a solo project. In fact, the guitarist was the last of his brothers to drop a solo album, following Michael, Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon and Randy.

“It was way overdue. I had planned on doing an album when I was much younger, you know, in my Motown days,” Tito tells ABC Audio. “They were gonna go through the whole group and do a solo project and I was next, but I got shortchanged ’cause my father moved [us] from Motown to Epic Records and I never got that chance.”

In addition to the label switch, Tito says becoming a husband and a father changed his priorities.

“I got married. Had kids. Raising sons and all that. I don’t have time to do a solo record now,” the 66-year-old recalls thinking. “They even had a little survey on the internet. ‘Is Tito gonna do a solo album, yes or no?’ and I was losing. Most people saying no and I said, ‘Well, you know, I’m gonna fool ’em.'”

Tito Time was released in December 2016 and featured vocalists Betty Wright and Jocelyn Brown, as well as rapper Big Daddy Kane.

Tito continues to tour as a member of The Jacksons. The group will be taking part in the Ultimate Disco Cruise, which sets sail from Miami on February 10, 2020. The lineup also includes The Commodores, Shalamar Reloaded featuring Jody Watley, KC and the Sunshine Band, Sister Sledge and The Trammps. The Jacksons also have a February 28, 2020, concert scheduled in Indio, California.

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