Jimmy Kimmel was clearly upset after the death of his close friend Cleto Escobedo IIImusical director Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the leader of the inner group.
The late night show host tearfully launched into a monologue in honor of the late musician, who passed away earlier in the day.
“We've been on the air for almost 23 years, and during that time I've had to give some tough monologues,” he said. “But it will… This is the hardest thing because late last night and early this morning we lost someone very special who was too young to leave.”
Kimmel recalled how he met Escobedo as a child and shared some of the moments he spent with him growing up in Las Vegas.
“We had so many adventures. We laughed so hard. We had our own language that almost no one understood,” Kimmel said of the special bond he had with Escobedo. “We didn't have to say anything. We sat here in rehearsal every day. We didn't have to look at each other. I knew he was thinking about looking at me, and I was thinking about looking at him. We look at each other like that, and that's it.”
Kimmel also recalled that they were both fans of David Letterman and that it was “a really big deal for both of us” when he first appeared on stage in 1999.
The comedian called Escobedo a prodigy, praising his saxophone skills. Kimmel noted that Escobedo would eventually work with Paula Abdul on tour.
When Kimmel finally got the job ABC A late-night talk show host, he suggested Escobedo become the leader of his own group, which Kimmel also wrote about in an Instagram post today. Kimmel added that “the best thing about this show is the opportunity” to bring Escobedo and his father together as a group as he put his career on pause to focus on raising his son.
“Everyone loves Cleto. Everyone here on the show – we're devastated by this,” Kimmel said, breaking down in tears. “It's just not fair. He was the sweetest, most humble, kind and always funny person.”
Kimmel joked that Cleto “loved showing his ass to others” and had carried on the tradition of sleepwalking since childhood.
“Even though I'm heartbroken over his loss, I'm going to take another lesson from him and recognize how lucky I am to have him by my side for so many years,” he said.
Kimmel said they were going to take a couple of nights off but wanted to be there to remember their friend.
Earlier today, Kimmel shared an Instagram post as a tribute to Escobedo following his death.
“Early this morning we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime band leader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel wrote on social media. “To say we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old. The fact that we get to work together every day is a dream neither of us could have ever imagined. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto's wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
The late-night talk show host isn't the only one who remembers Escobedo. Paula Abdul also took to social media to pay tribute to the musician and share a video of him performing.
“My heart is heavy today as we say goodbye to the incredible Cleto Escobedo III,” Abdul wrote on Instagram. “I first met Cleto when he was playing saxophone in a little bar at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. I was putting my band together for my first world tour, and the moment I heard him, I knew I had to hire him, even though he had no touring experience yet.”
She continued: “His talent and energy were undeniable, and he had an amazing career, reuniting with his best friend Jimmy Kimmel as a team leader. Jimmy Kimmel Live! Cleto was pure light and soul, both on and off stage. Sending so much love to his family and everyone who loved him.”
