Jackson patriarch dies at the age of 89

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

The father of Michael, Janet and their eight siblings had been battling cancer for some time before his death in a US hospital yesterday morning. He had battled poor health in recent years, suffering a stroke and three heart attacks in 2015.

Jackson’s wife Katherine 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 rehearsalsandbookedperformances for them at talent shows.

Jackson helped secured the band’s first record deal and they went on to enjoy success with hits, including ABC, I Want You Back and Rockin’ Robin.

He was known for ruling his children with an iron fist, with Michael later in life making allegations his father had been physically and emotionally abusive to him and his siblings.

Michael’s album Thriller is the world’s best-selling album, with estimated sales of more than 60 million copies.