Joe Jackson, father to the King of Pop, the late Michael Jackson, has died at the age of 89 from pancreatic cancer, just two days after the 9th anniversary of his son's death.
The Michael Jackson Estate released this statement:
"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. Mr. Jackson’s contributions to the history of music are enormous. We had developed a warm relationship with Joe in recent years and will miss him tremendously.”
Jackson pushed Michael and his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon into stardom as the Jackson 5. As their manager, he got them spots at the Apollo theatre, a record contract with Steeltown Records and finally, in 1969 they signed with Motown Records.
A year later, despite a world record for sales and international super-stardom, Joe wasn't done. He pulled in the youngest of his brood son Randy and daughters Rebbie, La Toya and Janet, to perform at casinos in Las Vegas.
Michael led his brothers to Epic Records, where they were called the Jackson Brothers, so they could create their solo careers, essentially leaving Joe's oversight.
Joe then successfully launched 16-year-old Janet into pop-stardom first under his own record label, then with A&M records.
The father of 11 was not known for his kindness at home or as a manager, however. Michael recalled in an interview with Oprah how his father would stand over them while they were practicing with a belt and hitting them when they weren't good enough for him.
In addition, he carried on a 25-year-long affair having another daughter while unofficially estranged from wife Katherine. Of late, he has made headlines with his wife over the preferences of his granddaughter Paris Jackson's love life with Cara DeLevingne.
Despite the rough history, Joe's family loved him and did their best to surround him in his final days.
His grandchildren have left heartwrenching tributes today across social media:
He is survived by his wife Katherine and their children Maureen, 68, Jackie, 67, Tito, 64, Jermaine, 63, La Toya, 62, Marlon, 61, Randy, 56, and Janet, 52 as well as Joh’Vonnie Jackson, 43, the daughter of Cheryl Terrell.