Joe Jackson, father of the Jackson family has died at 89 after suffering from an intense form of cancer. The patriarch, who was estranged from his family, was confirmed dead by his grandson Taj over Twitter this morning.
“Disgusted by some of the comments I’m reading about my grandpa Joe by those who didn’t even know him. Please don’t just regurgitate what you were spoon fed by the press. Joe was loved by our ENTIRE family and our hearts are in pain. Let us grieve without the nastiness” said Taj.
Disgusted by some of the comments I’m reading about my grandpa Joe by those who didn’t even know him. Please don't just regurgitate what you were spoon fed by the press. Joe was loved by our ENTIRE family and our hearts are in pain. Let us grieve without the nastiness.#ripthehawk
— Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) June 27, 2018
John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of Michael Jackson’s estate have issued a statement saying, “We are deeply saddened by Mr Jackson’s passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs Katherine Jackson and the family.”
“Joe was a strong man who acknowledged his own imperfections and heroically delivered his sons and daughters from the steel mills of Gary, Indiana to worldwide pop superstardom,” they said.
Joe Jackson stirred controversy throughout his life, with Michael speaking out about their tumultuous relationship. As the manager of the Jackson 5, he often instigated long, regimented rehearsal.
“If you messed up during rehearsal, you got hit,” Michael was quoted as saying in J Randy Taraborrelli’s biography.
“Once he ripped the wire cord off the refrigerator and whopped me with it … I would fight back and my father would kill me, just tear me up.”
Watch ‘I Want You Back’ by the Jackson 5:
