BiographyTariano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson was born on October 15, 1953 in Gary, Indiana to Katherine and Joseph Jackson. He was their third child and second son. (Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Latoya, Marlon, Michael, Randy, Janet)
Like in many cities, drugs and crime lured a lot of kids down the wrong path. As hard as they tried, Kate and Joe tried to shield their children out of harm's way. Though they weren't the perpetrators, they were sometimes the targets. Unfortunately, Tito experienced it first hand.
As he explained it, "I was walking home from school for lunch one day. I had a dime in my pocket which was like heaven - bubblegum money. Anyway, this guy approached me and asked me to give him my lunch money. I told him that I didn't have any money, that I was going home to eat lunch. "Then I'm going to blow your brains out," he said, pulling a gun on me and cocking it. I went into a nervous wreck. I ran screaming. He didn't shoot."
In order to keep them from turning to a life of crime, they entertained the best way they knew how - through music. They loved to sing along with Kate while doing chores or watch as Joe practiced with his group, The Falcons. Tito especially took interest in his father's prized guitar. Even though they were all forbidden to touch it, he secretly began to sneak it out to play.
One day he accidently broke a string. Having no way of getting it fixed, he put it back and waited. Knowing what a strict disciplinarian his father was he braced himself for the worst. Sure enough, when Joe found the broken instrument, he confronted his sons and demanded to know what happened. After punishing his son for disobeying him, he asked to see him play. What he found astounded him, so much so in fact, that Tito soon found himself the proud owner of a new red electric guitar.
Delores Vilma "Dee Dee" Martes was born and grew up in Harlem, New York on April 1, 1955. She was the youngest of four daughters born to parents who immigrated there from the Dominican Republic and separated when she was just an infant. In 1968, when Dee Dee was 13 she moved to California with her
mother and three older sisters.
Just a year later she met Tito at Fairfax High School, where both were enrolled as sophomores. They had to keep their romance a secret since Tito's father was opposed to any members in the Jackson 5 dating. Through it all, their love prevailed and they were married after a secret seven month engagement on June 17, 1972 just a week out of high school.
The wedding was held at the Joy House Wedding Gardens, and was a small affair considering the Jackson 5 was at the height of their success. The reason for that was since they had kept it a secret from Tito's family for so long Dee Dee's mother arranged the whole thing. Her brother-in-law gave her away and Jermaine acted as Tito's best man.
Tito married his high school sweetheart Delores Martes, whom he affectionately called Dee DeeA year later on August 4, 1973 their first child Toriano Adaryll II (Taj) was born. At the time, the Jackson 5 was on tour in Australia. Tito wasn't allowed to come home, so his sister LaToya, who had also been Dee Dee's Lamaze coach, was by her side during the birth. Two years later on August 8, 1975 their second son, Taryll Adren was born, and three years after that Tito Joe (TJ) joined them on July 16, 1978.
And the Legacy lives on . . .
Growing up the three brothers watched and imitated their father and uncles on stage. They would dance and sing to the Jackson 5 using mops and brooms. As Taj once put it: "My dad has footage of us as little kids singing to the music of the Jackson 5. TJ was still a baby, holding a microphone, trying to dance and sing, and he couldn't even talk yet."
They continued to practice and formed a group "The Three T's" which was derived from a nickname their mother had given them (and later shortened to 3T) performing at family reunions and even recording some demos. In fact, they were so good, that at age 12 young Taj was offered a solo recording contract, but turned it down opting to wait until he was more experienced and his younger brothers could join him.
Taj’s first ever appearance was with his father in one of the Jacksons TV Series in 1977. Taryll and TJ appeared in the video of Janet’s “When I think of you” (1986) and Taj and Taryll appeared in the Jacksons’ “Can you feel it” video (1981). All 3 are brought out on stage at the end of the Victory Tour (1984) and as little boys they can be found along their father’s side in the tour’s program book.
In 1989, they sang background vocals, along with their cousins, on the title track of The Jacksons' album 2300 Jackson Street. Three years later, they recorded a song for the soundtrack of the Jacksons: An American Dream, the mini-series that chronicled their family's rise to fame, called "You Are The Ones".
However, their big break came when Jerry Greenberg heard their demo "Didn't Mean To Hurt You". He decided to put it on the upcoming soundtrack to the movie "Free Willy".
It was at this point that Michael decided to offer his nephews a record deal at his own MJJ Music label.
Michaej, Janet and all the other elderly Jackson have helped the Ts every step of the way. They have always been there for the boys and taught them all the ropes of the music business they needed to know. At MJJ Music, Taj, Taryll and TJ got all the creative freedom they wanted and Tito made sure they could write their own songs and were able to deliver their own hits. The Jackson 5 weren’t allowed to write their own songs at the time they were at Motown.
In 1992, 3T went on tour (Dangerous World Tour) with Michael (uncle Doo Doo) to see how life is on tour. They got to meet their fans and they learneda lot of these experiences. In 1995, Taj, Taryll and TJ went on tour (Janet World Tour) with their auntie Janet to learn some more about touring. Now, 3T could see for themselves how the fans react to seeing Michael or Janet perform live on stage!
During all of this, they continued to garner good grades at the prestigious private school, Buckley, working after school and on breaks. All three were on the National Honor Society and played baseball. (Taj: Class '91, Taryll: Class '93, TJ: Class '96) Taj and Taryll went on to attend Loyola Marymount University and TJ was accepted to the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.
While working on their album, they were dealt a terrible blow of confidence, when on August 27, 1994 their mother Dee Dee, who along with their father helped to manage their career, was found dead under suspicious circumstances. (Though they had been divorced several years, they remained friends). They immediately suspected that something was wrong when her companion, Donald Bohana, told police that they had been swimming the night before and she drowned. Her sons and ex-husband knew that it wasn't true
because she couldn't swim and was terrified of water, so his story made no sense.
In August of 1995, a year after her death, they filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bohana to speed up the legal process, having felt that the prosecutor was dragging his heels. It was during this time that "Free Willy 2" with their song "What Will It Take" was released.
Then in October 1995, 3T released their debut album, autobiographically titled “Brotherhood”. This seemed ideal, since they are brothers and so were the amazing group(s) that started this legacy. It all came down to one thing: BROTHERHOOD. The album was dedicated in the loving memory of their mom Dee Dee.
Most of the songs on the album are written and produced by the T’s themselves. They sing their songs and they play the instruments themselves too. “Brotherhood” contains two songs on which you can hear Michael too. The song “Why” is a duet of 3T and Michael and Michael is also on the song “I need you”.
The first single “Anything” entered the UK charts at the number 2 position and for a debut that is excellent!! The single was a huge hit for 3T all over Europe ahd in Holland “Anything” also reached number 2.
The Jackson’s fans who have been around for years and who have been waiting for the T’s to come out, naturally began supporting the next generation and made everyone proud. The album continued to gain sales worldwide as the singles were released with impressive videos.
"Brotherhood's" first single, "Anything," which was written, performed, and produced by 3T themselves, achieved gold status in the U.S. and the U.K., selling over two million copies worldwide. "Anything," combined with the singles "Why," "I Need You," and "24/7," gives 3T a very impressive four Top Five hits in the U.K. alone. The album has also achieved gold status in many other countries including Holland, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, Thailand and the Philippines ... and it achieved platinum status in France.
After 5 European singles and more than a year of promotion, the brothers decided to go on tour. This most likely came from the fact, that every time the T’s arrived in Europe, the fans went crazy!! The fans always gave them a warm welcome. By the time 3T went on tour, there was a true 3T-mania going on in Europe and this tour was 3T’s long time dream come true. The Brotherhood Tour was alse dedicated in loving memory to their mom. In February 1997, the Brothehood Tour kicked off in England and after almost two months the T-boys finished the Brotherhood Tour in Holland. And to finish the tour in style, they won an award for most promising act at the TMF awards.
During the summer of 1997, their song "Waiting for Love" was featured on the soundtrack for the blockbuster movie "Men In Black." In December of the same year, they were featured on the Sony released
CD Superstar Christmas performing the song, Endless Christmas. Unfortunately for their American fans it only appeared on the European release.
Upon returning to the United States in early 1998, Donald Bohana was put on trial for the murder of Dee Dee Jackson. (After a three year investigation, they arrested him in 1997 and charged him with murder in the
2nd degree). Following a very tense and emotional trial, he was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
In 1998, 3T (especially Taj) traveled all over the world with their auntie Janet. They travelled along with Janet on her Velvet Rope World Tour.
In 1999, the soundtrack of the movie “Trippin” was released featuring the song “Thinkin’ “ from the T’s. This song was originally intended for the “Brotherhood” album, but eventually never made it.
February 1st 2000, 3T founded their own Internet record label TTT Music. In July 2000, the label’s first artist, Klaye, released his debut album “klAyE dAyE”, which is entirely prodused by 3T. The album features songs with 3T in the background and the songs “One, 2” a duet of Klaye and TJ and “Ice Cream”, a song with Taryll.
In May 2002, 3T signet a contract that would release them from their contract from Sony Music. 3T are finally free now and working hard on new songs for a new album to be released under a new contract at a new label. TJ went to Europe and had talks with record companies in Paris and London. In December 2002, 3T.com announced very exciting and surprising news for the fans: 2003 will be 3T’s year!
In August 3T released their first single after six years in France.The single “Stuck on You”, a cover of a Lionel Richie track.The single was released by 3T’s new record label TF1 Musique, based in Paris. 3T got signed to Dutch label Digidance in 2004 and released “Stuck on You” in Holland in February. In Spring 2004 the new and long-awaited album “Identity” was released by 3T, following promo tours in France, Holland and Belgium. In Fall 2004 “Stuck on You” was released in Germany and also the album was released in that country. The 2nd single from “Identity” was “Sex Appeal” and was released in Holland, Belgium and France. In November 2004, the single “If You Leave Me Now” was released in France and other European coumtries. This single is a track from T-Rio’s album “Mamae Eu Quero” that 3T lended their voices to. 3T also appeared in the videoclip of this song.
Proud father Tito looks back fondly on the years his sons spent perfecting their craft before entering what can only be called the family business. "I saw signs of their talent even when they were toddlers," he says. "They used to hold brooms and mops and imitate the Jackson brothers. But they've been working especially hard for the last ten years or more, becoming good writers and singers in their own right. Coming from an entertainment family, they know they can't half-step."
At the moment we are awaiting 3t’s next album but there is no release date available yet.
*2300 Jackson Street (The Jacksons, 2300 Jackson Street, 1989)
*Gimme Some More (Pati featuring Dealz)(Pati, Think Of Me, 2004)
*Sex Appeal (Tredox Mix) (3T feat. Dealz, Sex Appeal single, 2003)
