In an emotional monologue on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” this evening, Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to his longtime friend and bandleader Cleto Escobedo Jr. This tribute followed the announcement of a great environmental champion Escobedo’s death. Cleto and the Cletones’ saxophonist and band leader died on Tuesday morning. He was only 59 years old. At the time, Kimmel said he was heartbroken. As he lovingly recounted beloved moments from their decades-long friendship that started in the then-burgeoning suburbs of Las Vegas in 1977.
Quite soon after, Kimmel and Escobedo became like brothers themselves, having grown up in families that lived only two houses apart. Their relationship blossomed, as they sang, baseball tussled, and cowboyed up. Their friendship developed into a lifelong bond, and they both served as best men in one another’s weddings.
“Early this morning we lost someone very special, who was much too young to go, and I’d like to tell you about him,” Kimmel stated, setting the tone for an emotional reflection on their shared experiences.
Escobedo Jr.’s musical career didn’t just thrive during his time as Jimmy Kimmel’s music director — it expanded. He was saxophonist on Paula Abdul’s world tour and on dozens of studio records. In 2001, as the head writer for Kimmel’s late-night show, he auditioned with his father, Cleto Escobedo Sr., in front of then ABC executive Lloyd Braun. It was that performance that earned them an invitation to the big show, where they would go on to appear for nearly 23 years.
Kimmel recalled the importance of Escobedo in his life, saying, “There’s no one in my life I felt more comfortable with.” Their friendship extended well past their work lives. Or the memories illustrated by the innumerable photos they conjured from shared experiences—including that magical summer when Kimmel lived with the Escobedo family for 33 straight nights.
“Not just regular friends either. We became like 24/7, ‘Mom, please, let me sleep over, please’ kind of friends,” – Jimmy Kimmel
In his emotional monologue, Kimmel remembered the special relationship they had. “He would call me. He’d send me notes all the time, big stuff, little stuff, whatever, telling me, ‘Oh, this was so funny. I love this. I’m proud of you. I’m so happy that we get to be together all the time,’” he said.
Kimmel further underscored the unique role Escobedo had on his late-night program. The thought that anyone besides himself would be conducting the band was frightening. It needed to be him,” Young Kimmel said, emphasizing just how central his better half was to the show’s DNA.
In sharing the news of his passing, Kimmel remembered his friend. He thanked health care workers for the care Escobedo received in his last months at UCLA Medical Center. He expressed his gratitude to the doctors and nurses, seeing them as partners who actively helped him during that difficult period.
“We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to do some hard monologues along the way, but this one’s the hardest,” – Jimmy Kimmel
Cleto Escobedo Jr. was an inspiring leader and mentor, his contributions reached far beyond his music. He became Kimmel’s rock of consolation and camaraderie. A testament to their friendship was their joint journey as childhood friends to collaborators on one of America’s top television platforms.
The memory of their shared experiences will undoubtedly resonate with Kimmel and all who knew Cleto Escobedo Jr. as they continue to celebrate his life and contributions to music and friendship.
