Jimmy Kimmel's Longtime Friend and 'JKL!' Band Leader Cleto Escobedo III Dies at 59

In a shocking turn that has left the entertainment world reeling, the soulful force that gave the late-night show its vibrant musical energy is gone.

Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime leader of "Cleto and the Cletones," the house band on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," has died. The musician was a close childhood friend of comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who announced the heartbreaking news and shared how devastated he was by Escobedo's passing.

Escobedo, who was the leader of the house band on Kimmel’s late-night show for decades, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, at the age of 59. Kimmel shared the sad news in an Instagram post that same day.

"Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement," Kimmel wrote.

He 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."

Jimmy Kimmel concluded by urging fans to treasure their friends and keep Escobedo's wife, children, and parents in their prayers.

Although he and Escobado had known each other since childhood, their bond deepened when "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" premiered in 2003, with Escobedo joining as the leader of "Cleto and the Cletones." His father, Cleto Escobedo Sr., also plays in the band, performing on the tenor and alto saxophone.

Escobedo's passing comes just days after it was revealed that the November 6 episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" was postponed due to a personal matter involving the host.