Joe Jackson, patriarch of Jackson family, dies age 89

Joe Jackson has died at the age of 89. Picture: AP Photo/Carlo Allegri

Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the famous Jackson family of entertainers, has died at the age of 89.

Taj Jackson, Joe’s grandson, said the hearts of the “entire family” are in pain.

Taj tweeted: “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, the son of The Jacksons star Tito Jackson and who was also a member of 1990s band 3T, also thanked Ebony magazine for their tribute to Joe, adding: “We see the love and support and appreciate it.”

His tweets came after US gossip site TMZ reported that Joe had died in US hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The father of Michael, Janet and their eight siblings had been battling cancer for some time before his death.

He had suffered poor health in recent years, suffering a stroke and three heart attacks in 2015.

Jackson’s wife Katherine, who he lived separately from, is reported to have been at his side at the time of his death.

Jackson began working on the music careers of his children in the 1960s when he put together the Jackson 5 group in the family’s home city of Gary, Indiana.

As the group’s manager, he oversaw their rigorous rehearsals and booked performances for them at talent shows and small venues.