Jimmy Kimmel remembers band leader Cleto Escobedo III in monologue: ‘We are devastated’

Cleto Escobedo III, the bandleader of Cleto and the Cletones, the house band for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” has died. The musician and lifelong friend of Kimmel was 59.

Kimmel confirmed Escobedo’s death early Tuesday morning in an Instagram post later that day, writing that “we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man.”

“To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement,” Kimmel continued. “Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”

The news of Escobedo’s death comes after “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was abruptly canceled Thursday, reportedly due to a “personal matter.” The cause of Escobedo’s death was not immediately released.

Kimmel said Tuesday that he would be taking the “next couple nights off,” but that he wanted to be there Tuesday to speak about Escobedo — and to interview one of the evening’s guests, Eddie Murphy, who he said Escobedo loved.

Kimmel dedicated his 22-minute monologue to remembering his friend. Through tears, he spoke about their closely intertwined childhoods, Escobedo’s musical achievements and bringing him on board to lead the band for the show. He said it was the hardest monologue he’s done.

The pair met in 1977 when Kimmel’s family moved in across the street from the Escobedos in Las Vegas. Kimmel said one summer, he slept at the Escobedos’ house for 33 nights in a row, getting on his knees and begging his mom to let their extended antics continue.

“Everyone loves Cleto, everyone here at the show — we are devastated by this,” Kimmel said. “It’s just not fair. He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person.”

Escobedo had led the band since the show’s premiere in 2003, playing alongside a group of musicians that included his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr. The elder Escobedo was a budding musician, but he stopped pursuing music after becoming a father because he wanted to be close to his son, Kimmel said.

“I’ve often said that the single best thing about doing this show is getting the opportunity to allow Cleto Sr. to pick up where he left off in 1966 and become a musician again with his son,” Kimmel said. The elder Escobedo was a part of the band on Tuesday night, and his wife and Cleto III’s mother, Sylvia, was in the audience. Sylvia came to the studio every day and sat in the audience to be near her husband and son, Kimmel said.

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Escobedo was an accomplished professional musician even before “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” He toured with Earth, Wind and Fire’s Philip Bailey and Paula Abdul and recorded with Marc Anthony, Tom Scott and Take Six. When Kimmel got his own ABC late-night talk show in 2003, he pushed for Escobedo to lead the house band, he told WABC in 2015.

“Of course I wanted Cleto to lead my band,” Kimmel said in his monologue. “The idea that anyone other than him would lead the band was terrifying. It had to be him.”

He was nervous about pitching his best friend (and his best friend’s dad) for the gig, but when he took an ABC executive to see the band play, it was kismet.

In an August 2016 episode, Kimmel wished Escobedo a happy 50th birthday and highlighted the origins of his friendship with the musician. “We began a lifetime of friendship that was highlighted by the kind of torture that only an older brother can inflict on you without being arrested,” Kimmel said before sharing a series of stories about their sibling-like bond and Escobedo’s antics.

“I can’t wait till your kids turn 12 and see this, and find out their father 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 their two children, Jesse and Cruz.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.