Cleto Escobedo III, Bandleader for 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', Dies at 59

Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and childhood friend of host Jimmy Kimmel, passed away early Tuesday morning at the age of 59. Kimmel announced the news on Instagram, expressing profound heartbreak and highlighting their lifelong friendship that began when they were nine years old.

Escobedo led the house band, Cleto and the Cletones, since the show's inception in 2003. Prior to his tenure on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", he had a successful music career, performing with artists such as Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony, and Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire. His father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., also played in the show's house band, forming a unique father-son duo on screen.

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Escobedo met Kimmel when they were children living across the street from each other. Their shared interests, including a mutual admiration for David Letterman, fostered a deep bond that lasted over five decades. In a 2015 interview, Kimmel recalled, "He was a child prodigy. Like the whole school would gather to watch. He'd get standing ovations."

The cause of death has not been disclosed. Kimmel urged fans to cherish their friends and keep Escobedo's wife, children, and parents in their thoughts.