Joe Jackson, the father of Michael Jackson who created the Jackson 5 music family with iron will, died Wednesday, family members confirmed. He was 89. Entertainment sites TMZ and ET said Jackson died Wednesday morning in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer. Family members confirmed the death on social media. Grandson Randy Jackson Jr tweeted, "RIP to the king that made everything possible!!! I love you grandpa."
Fellow grandson Taj Jackson asked on Twitter for space to grieve, saying his grandfather was "loved by our ENTIRE family" and criticizing media portrayals of the patriarch. Representatives of family members did not immediately respond to requests for details on his death, but Jackson himself hinted at his impending death in a tweet two days ago.
"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," he wrote.