Jimmy Kimmel Live! Band Leader Dies at 59
The music and television world is mourning the loss of Cleto Escobedo III, the esteemed band leader for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 59. His death has now been officially detailed, with the released death certificate confirming the immediate cause.
Official Cause of Death Revealed
According to the legal document, the primary cause of Escobedo's death was cardiogenic shock. This severe medical condition, where the heart suddenly cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, was compounded by several underlying health issues. The certificate listed alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver as a significant contributing factor.
Other serious conditions that played a role in his passing included vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, sepsis, and chronic kidney disease. This complex combination of ailments outlines a challenging final health battle for the beloved musician.
A Legacy of Music and Friendship
Cleto Escobedo III was not just a colleague but a great friend to host Jimmy Kimmel. The two first met when Kimmel was just nine years old, forging a bond that would last a lifetime. Kimmel previously paid a moving tribute, praising Escobedo as a “great friend, father, son, musician and man.”
Escobedo had been the frontman of the show's house band, Cleto and the Cletones, since the programme's premiere in 2003. His nearly 23-year tenure meant his musical talent became a familiar and cherished part of the late-night television landscape for audiences.
