NEW YORK (AP) — Joseph Jackson, the strong, fearsome patriarch of the musical Jackson family, has died, according to a person close to the family.
The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not allowed to discuss the topic publicly, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he died but had no additional information. He was 89.
The stage dad of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and their talented siblings took his family from poverty in Gary, Indiana, and launched a musical dynasty.
Five of his boys — Michael, Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Jackie — made the clan an instant sensation with the arrival of the Jackson 5 in 1969.
Over the following decades, millions would listen to recordings by the Jacksons, and Michael would become one of the most popular entertainers in history before his death in 2009.
FILE - In this March 15, 2005 file photo, Pop star Michael Jackson leaves the Santa Barbara County Courthouse with his father, Joe, in Santa Maria, Calif., following a day of testimony in Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation. Joe Jackson, the patriarch of America's most famous musical clan has died, says a family source on Wednesday, June 27. He was 89. (AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 30, 1993 file photo, members of the Jackson family, from left, Jermaine Jackson, mother Katherine Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Joe Jackson, foreground right, and Tito Jackson appear at a press conference in Los Angeles to promote their benefit concert. Joe Jackson, the patriarch of America's most famous musical clan has died, says a family source on Wednesday, June 27. He was 89. (AP Photo/Eric Draper, File)
FILE - In this Nov. 7, 2011 file photo, Michael Jackson's parents Joe and Katherine Jackson arrive at the Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles, after it was announced that jurors had reached a verdict in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's physician when the pop star died in 2009. Joe Jackson, the patriarch of America's most famous musical clan has died, says a family source on Wednesday, June 27. He was 89. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)
FILE - This July 1984 file photo shows Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the musical Jackson family. Joe Jackson, the patriarch of America's most famous musical clan has died, says a family source on Wednesday, June 27. He was 89. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)
FILE - In this March 14, 2005 file photo, pop star Michael Jackson and his father Joe Jackson, left, hold hands as they arrival at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Maria, Calif., for his child molestation trial. Joe Jackson, the patriarch of America's most famous musical clan has died, says a family source on Wednesday, June 27. He was 89. (AP Photo/ Carlo Allegri, File)
FILE - In this July 7, 2009 file photo, Joe Jackson, center, with members of the Jackson family and Usher during the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Jackson, the patriarch of America's most famous musical clan has died, says a family source on Wednesday, June 27. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, Pool, File)
FILE - In this June 27, 2006 file photo, Joe Jackson arrives for the 6th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles. Jackson, patriarch of America's most famous musical clan, father of Michael Jackson, has died, says family source on Wednesday, June 27. He was 89. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok, File)