{"id":296498,"date":"2025-11-21T00:15:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T00:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/296498\/"},"modified":"2025-11-21T00:15:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T00:15:09","slug":"jimmy-kimmel-live-band-changes-name-after-cleto-escobedos-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/296498\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ band changes name after Cleto Escobedo’s death"},"content":{"rendered":"

The house band for \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d has changed its name after the death of their bandleader, Cleto Escobedo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Formerly known as Cleto and the Cletones, they revealed their new name, The Cletones, during the late-night show\u2019s Tuesday episode. <\/p>\n

In\u00a0the opening sequence\u00a0for\u00a0the show, the credits rolled to the band\u2019s new name illuminated by a flashing light.<\/p>\n

The house band for \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d has changed its name after the death of their bandleader, Cleto Escobedo. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Formerly known as Cleto and the Cletones, they revealed their new name, The Cletones, during the late-night show\u2019s Tuesday episode. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The musician and lifelong best friend of Kimmel died of cardiogenic shock<\/a> on Nov. 11. He was 59.<\/p>\n

Page Six exclusively reported that he also\u00a0had complications stemming from a liver transplant.<\/p>\n

Sources told us Escobedo was hospitalized shortly prior to his death, causing Kimmel to cancel his Nov. 6 episode last minute to be by his best friend\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

The musician and lifelong best friend of Kimmel, died of cardiogenic shock on Nov. 11. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Kimmel paid tribute to his friend on his show, breaking down in tears as he honored him. Jimmy Kimmel Live<\/p>\n

The comedian took to Instagram after Escobedo\u2019s death to announce the heartbreaking news to his fans and post a heartfelt tribute.<\/p>\n

\u201cEarly this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,\u201d Kimmel\u00a0posted on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0at the time. <\/p>\n

\u201cTo say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. 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. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto\u2019s wife, children and parents in your prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been on the air for almost 23 years and I\u2019ve had to do some hard monologues along the way, but this one\u2019s the hardest,\u201d he tearfully began. Jimmy Kimmel Live<\/p>\n

\u201cWe lost someone very special who was much too young to go,\u201d the emotional comedian\u00a0told his audience on \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d\u00a0on Nov. 12. Instagram\/@jimmykimmel<\/p>\n

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Kimmel also paid tribute to his friend on his show, breaking down in tears<\/a> as he honored him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been on the air for almost 23 years and I\u2019ve had to do some hard monologues along the way, but this one\u2019s the hardest because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young to go,\u201d the emotional comedian\u00a0told his audience on \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d<\/a>\u00a0on Nov. 12.<\/p>\n

He then shared how he and Escobedo became inseparable after they met as neighbors in Spring Valley, Nev., in 1977.<\/p>\n

He then shared how he and Escobedo became inseparable after they met as neighbors in Spring Valley, Nev., in 1977. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Escobedo and his father have been a part of Kimmel\u2019s house band since he got his own show in 2003, as he fought hard to make sure his best friend could be a part of it. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a boy who lived down my block \u2026 lived across the street and two houses over. His name was Cleto, but we all called him Jr.,\u201d the talk show host shared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had so many adventures. We would laugh so hard. We had our own language that, like, almost no one else understood,\u201d Kimmel recalled of their childhood.<\/p>\n

Escobedo and his father have been a part of Kimmel\u2019s house band since he got his own show in 2003, as he fought hard to make sure his best friend could be a part of it.<\/p>\n

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