Joseph "Joe" Jackson, the patriarch who launched the musical Jackson family dynasty, died Wednesday in a Las Vegas hospital, a source close to the family tells CNN.
He was 89.
Jackson was the father and at times manager to pop stars Michael and Janet Jackson, along with the sibling-singing group, The Jackson 5.
No cause of death has been released, but Jackson had reportedly been in ill health.
He formed The Jackson Brothers in 1963 – with sons Tito, Jackie and Jermaine – and began entering them in local talent shows. With the addition of Marlon and Michael, The Jackson 5 was born in 1966. Two years later, they signed with Motown Records.
They went on to become one of the most successful R&B groups in history, with their father initially acting as their manager.
At the height of their stardom, The Jackson 5 sold millions of records and had their own CBS variety show.
“Joseph's role as manager dwindled however as Motown CEO Berry Gordy began to take more charge on his act, a role that reverted back to Joseph when he began managing the entire family for performances in Las Vegas,” according to Jackson's official site. “Joseph also helped his sons seal a deal with CBS after leaving Motown.”
The success of The Jackson 5 led to Michael Jackson going solo, becoming such a major star that he was later dubbed the King of Pop. Youngest daughter Janet also became a hugely successful recording artist.
The elder Jackson managed daughters Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet in the early 1980s until they, like their brothers before, struck out on their own.