Joe Jackson, father and early manager of the Jacksons, has died at 89 after a battle with terminal pancreatic cancer, as first reported by TMZ. Jackson is survived by his wife Katherine and nine of his 11 children. His death comes just two days after the date of the 2009 death of his son, iconic pop singer Michael Jackson. Joe Jackson is best known for managing his young sons Michael, Marlon, Jackie, Tito and Jermaine as The Jackson 5. He also oversaw Janet Jackson’s 1982 debut album, Janet Jackson, which she recorded at age 16.
Jackson’s career took a hit when, in the 1980s, his children began to distance themselves from him professionally and came forward with stories of his abuse. Michael Jackson came forward about his father’s physical and emotional abuse in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, though he admitted that his father’s strictness played a large part in his public success. Joe denied that his discipline was abusive, as did his wife Katherine, who both said it was a product of their generation.
In October 2002, Jackson received the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s recognition as the Best Entertainment Manager of All Time. He has also accepted awards on behalf of his deceased son Michael, and attended the 2015 BET Awards, at which Janet Jackson received the Ultimate Icon Award.
On July 27, 2015, Jackson suffered a stroke during his 87th birthday party. He was rushed to a hospital in Brazil, where he’d been celebrating, and was again hospitalized in 2017 following a car accident.
On June 21, news broke that Jackson was in the hospital and had been battling cancer for “some time.” Though Jermaine Jackson stated on Twitter that ”’dying’ is a harsh word chosen by headline writers, not me,” an update posted to Joe Jackson’s own account was far less optimistic: “I have seen more sunsets than I have left to see. The sun rises when the time comes and whether you like it or not the sun sets when the time comes.” Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris then asserted that, ”[M]y grandfather did not tweet this,” going on to say, ”[I]’m not sure if he’s ever used this account.”
As is to be expected, Twitter is awash with tributes to the fallen manager. Check out a few choice celebrity reactions below.
R.I.P. joe Jackson the legend we will never forget
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) June 27, 2018
Joe Jackson, brother beloved, patriarch & creator of one of the most talented American musical dynasties. We will remember him as long as his family’s music plays. Offering prayers and condolences to the Jackson family. #RIP#NeverCanSayGoodbye#JoeJacksonpic.twitter.com/ws7vFmeRxi
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) June 27, 2018
THE MAN…THE FAMILY …THE LEGEND! RIP JOE JACKSON and thank you for giving us the many gifts of talent from your family, not just to our community on a whole…but to the ENTIRE WORLD!!! #RIPpic.twitter.com/uOfKXQV4mP
— Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) June 27, 2018