Even in the middle of memorial plans for Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson found the time to talk with the Today show. With the sprawling grounds of Neverland behind him, the older brother and former Jackson 5 member opened up about the shocking tragedy felt around the world.

“He went too soon,” Jermaine emotionally stated. “I wish it was me.”

“I’ve always felt that I was his backbone. Someone to be there for him,” the brother said.

“Michael is a gift from Allah. And He has taken him back.”

Jermaine first heard the horrible news from a friend - it is assumed that, by then, the story had already been broken by the media. Disbelieving the rumor, he called mom Katherine Jackson to learn the truth. This was how Jermaine learned the news of his younger brother. “To feel and hear the tone in her voice to say her child is dead, is like nothing that anyone can ever imagine.”

“My family is being strong. We’ve always been a family and we’re just holding together. But it’s tough. It’s very tough.”

Of his brother, Jermaine said, “he became a victim of his own success. It was hard for him.”

For those who want to know more about the Jackson family, and their amazing success story, VH1 is showing The Jacksons: An American Dream. The five-hour epic movie portrays many of the events that made the Jackson 5 famous, though little attention is given to sisters LaToya and Janet in the film.