Cleto Escobedo III, the leader of Cleto and the Cletones, the house band from “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, has died. The musician and lifelong friend of Kimmel was 59 years old.
Kimmel confirmed Escobedo's death early Tuesday morning in an Instagram post that same day, writing that “we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man.”
“To say we are heartbroken is an understatement,” Kimmel continued. “Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old. The fact that we had to work together every day is a dream that none of us could have imagined would come true. Cherish your friends and keep Cleto's wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
The news of Escobedo's death comes after “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was abruptly canceled on Thursday, reportedly due to a “personal matter.” Escobedo's cause of death was not immediately released.
Escobedo had led the band during the nightly show since its premiere in 2003, playing alongside a group of musicians that included his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr.
Escobedo was an accomplished professional musician, having toured with Philip Bailey and Paula Abdul of Earth, Wind and Fire and recorded with Marc Anthony, Tom Scott and Take Six. When Kimmel got his own late-night talk show on ABC in 2003, he pushed for Escobedo to lead the house band, he told WABC in 2015.
“Of course I wanted great musicians, but I wanted someone I had chemistry with,” Kimmel told the outlet. “And there's no one in my life that I have better chemistry with than him.”
In an August 2016 episode, Kimmel wished Escobedo a happy 50th birthday and highlighted his long-standing relationship with the musician. They met in 1977 when Kimmel's family moved across the street from the Escobedos in Las Vegas. “We began a life of friendship that was highlighted by the kind of torture that only an older brother can inflict on you without getting arrested,” Kimmel said before sharing a series of stories about their brotherly bond and Escobedo's antics.
“I can't wait until his kids turn 12, see this and find out their dad is a secret maniac,” Kimmel said. The host also shared photos of them as children, including one of Escobedo playing the saxophone and Kimmel playing the clarinet.
In addition to his father and other family members, Escobedo is survived by his wife, Lori, and two children.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
