Tragic news struck the entertainment world, as Cleto Escobedo III, the vibrant bandleader and saxophonist for ABC late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, passed away at the tender age of 59, as Breitbart reports.

The announcement came from host Jimmy Kimmel himself, revealing the loss of a dear friend and musical talent on Tuesday morning, though no cause of death was shared.

Escobedo’s journey in music started long before late-night fame, forming his band Cleto and the Cletones back in 1995 with a flair that could light up any stage.

From Vegas Stages to Late-Night Fame

His talent caught the eye of pop icon Paula Abdul while he was playing saxophone at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, a gig that showcased his raw energy.

Abdul didn’t hesitate to bring him into her band, later praising his spirit as “pure light and soul,” a sentiment that echoes how Escobedo touched so many.

Let’s not get lost in Hollywood’s usual over-the-top eulogies, though -- Abdul’s words remind us that real talent, not progressive posturing, defines a legacy worth mourning.

Lifelong Bond with Kimmel

By 2003, Escobedo joined Jimmy Kimmel Live! as bandleader, a role that cemented his place in late-night television history from the show’s very first episode.

Kimmel, who had known Escobedo since childhood, shared a bond with the musician that went beyond the studio, a rare authenticity in an industry often criticized for shallow connections.

“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel posted on Instagram, a statement heavy with personal loss.

Heartfelt Tributes, Public Grief

“To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement,” Kimmel continued, reflecting a grief that cuts deeper than the usual celebrity soundbites we’re fed.

While Kimmel’s words tug at the heart, let’s remember that true friendship, not the woke virtue-signaling often seen on social media, is what shines through here.

Escobedo wasn’t just a TV fixture; he toured with heavyweights like Marc Anthony, proving his chops weren’t confined to a studio set.

A Legacy of Music and Family

His passing comes on the heels of a postponed taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week, though no official connection to the death has been confirmed.

Kimmel urged the public to “cherish your friends” and keep Escobedo’s wife, children, and parents in their prayers, a call to family values that resonates in a culture often too quick to move on.

In a world where entertainment news often drowns in divisive agendas, Escobedo’s story is a reminder of the quiet power of hard work, talent, and genuine relationships -- principles worth defending against the noise of today’s cultural battles.