Jimmy Kimmel is mourning the loss of life of longtime good friend and Jimmy Kimmel Reside bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III. He was 59.

The late-night host shared the information of his loss of life on Instagram, writing, "Early this morning, we misplaced an important good friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. To say that we’re heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I’ve been inseparable since I used to be 9 years previous. The truth that we started working collectively each day is a dream neither of us may ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your mates and please maintain Cleto’s spouse, youngsters and oldsters in your prayers."

As Kimmel alluded to, he and the Cleto and the Cletones chief first met as children rising up in Las Vegas. "Jimmy was on the home each day, slept over at our home," Escobedo stated in a 2013 interview with ABC7. "I’d get up early within the morning and I’d hear [a noise], and I stated, 'That's Jimmy.' As a result of Jimmy had just a little allergy downside."

When Escobedo turned 50, Kimmel paid tribute to his good friend on Jimmy Kimmel Reside, telling the viewers, “We started a lifetime of friendship that was highlighted by the form of torture that solely an older brother can inflict on you with out being arrested,” earlier than continuing to call numerous pranks that went down between the 2.

Escobedo first shaped the band Cleto and the Cletones in 1995, enjoying the alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones in addition to sometimes lending his vocals to units. Different members of the group embody his father, Cleto Escobedo Sr, in addition to keyboardist Jeff Babko, guitarist Toshi Yanagi, bassist Jimmy Earl, and drummer Jonathan Dresel.

When it got here time for Kimmel to headline his personal late-night present in 2003, his longtime good friend was his first name to steer his home band. "I at all times thank him for this gig as a result of he may have tried to get any person that was established and would assist the present extra, being an even bigger identify or no matter. However he trusted me with this job, and I've tried to do the very best I can," Escobedo instructed ABC7.

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Along with his gig on Jimmy Kimmel Reside, Cleto and the Cletones additionally toured with Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony, and Earth, Wind & Hearth’s Philip Bailey.

Although a reason behind loss of life has not been introduced, Escobedo's situation was the rationale for the abrupt cancellation of the present final week, according to Variety. On the time, Leisure Weekly confirmed that Thursday's episode of the late-night speak present was postponed on account of a "private matter" involving Kimmel.

The episode was meant to characteristic Malice star David Duchovny, Stranger Issues star Joe Keery, and musical act Madison Beer; ABC aired a rerun of Oct. 28's episode as a substitute.

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EW additionally confirmed that this week's slate of episodes will occur as deliberate, although they don’t characteristic Duchovny, Keery, and Beer. It’s unclear when the postponed episode will happen, however a consultant for the present stated they’re presently engaged on rescheduling it.

Representatives for Jimmy Kimmel Reside didn’t instantly reply to EW's request for touch upon Tuesday.

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