Joe Jackson Dead at 89 After Battle With Pancreatic Cancer

Joe Jackson, the man behind one of music’s most famous and influential families, died Wednesday morning at the age of 89. TMZ reports Jackson was in Los Angeles, California, surrounded by his wife Katherine and “some” of his grandchildren at the time of his death.

Jackson had been dealing with a host of medical problems over the past few years, including a recently revealed battle with pancreatic cancer. Just days ago, a photo was posted to his official Twitter account alongside the caption, “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.”

Days prior, while giving a speech at the Radio Disney Music Awards, daughter Janet called him an “incredible father”—a description not everyone in his family has always agreed with.

“RIP to the king that made everything possible,” his grandson Randy tweeted Wednesday morning. “I love you.”