Shelia E. Tearfully Pays Tribute to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Band Leader Cleto Escobedo Following His Death at 59 (Exclusive)

Sheila E. Pays Emotional Tribute to Cleto Escobedo Following His Passing at 59

Sheila E. has recently bid a tearful farewell to her close friend, Cleto Escobedo, after his tragic demise at the age of 59. Cleto Escobedo was widely known as the band leader of the renowned Cleto and the Cletones, the house band for the popular television show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! This exclusive revelation was shared by Sheila E. during a heartfelt interview with PEOPLE at the prestigious iHeartRadio’s Not Alone Awards held in Las Vegas.

Echoing solemn sentiments, Sheila E., 67, expressed the deep impact Cleto had on her life. She recounted receiving distressing text messages during dinner, informing her of his passing. Amidst tears, she reminisced, “I lost a really good friend last night,” continuing, “He passed away at 1 a.m. … during dinner I was getting text messages and I’m like, oh my God, and I was just praying that maybe he could hold on until I got home on Thursday.” She fondly recalled their long-standing friendship, mentioning their collaboration on Escobedo’s debut single, a project she had produced, and described him as ‘incredible’.

The bond between Sheila E. and Cleto Escobedo ran deep, illustrated by their shared curiosity regarding a potential familial connection due to their similar surnames. Sheila E., born Sheila Cecilia Escovedo, narrated, “Because our names were spelled with one letter different, my grandfather changed our name from B to V, so we think that we were related so we kept trying to research our backgrounds on how we are probably related to each other.” Amidst grief, she praised Cleto’s amiable nature, reflecting on his kindness and the impact his loss has had on her.

The musician also took to social media to extend her tributes to Escobedo. She penned a heartfelt message on Facebook, commemorating their shared history and coining him as a ‘true brother and an amazing musician and artist’. Adorned with prayers and condolences, her post resonated with love and respect for the departed soul. The music industry, along with fans and friends, united in mourning the loss of Cleto Escobedo, a figure whose music had touched many lives.

Jimmy Kimmel, a childhood companion of Escobedo, also paid homage to his dear friend via an Instagram post, marking the poignant passing of Cleto. Kimmel, visibly shaken by the loss, reminisced about their enduring friendship since childhood, underlining the surreal journey they had undertaken together. Cleto and the Cletones had been an integral part of Jimmy Kimmel Live! since its inception in 2003, with Cleto’s father, Cleto Escobado Sr., also contributing to the band’s musical legacy.

In an emotionally charged tribute during his show, Kimmel shed light on their shared memories, recounting anecdotes from their childhood friendship and the profound impact Cleto had on his life. His heartfelt reminiscences portrayed a picture of enduring camaraderie and shared experiences spanning decades. The profound loss of Cleto Escobedo resonated deeply within the hearts of many, amplifying the void left behind by his untimely departure.

As the music industry mourns the loss of a talented soul, the memories and legacy of Cleto Escobedo continue to resonate with those who knew and admired him. Sheila E., along with Jimmy Kimmel and a host of admirers, have paid their respects to a soulful musician and a cherished friend, whose melodies will echo eternally in the realm of music. Cleto’s legacy lives on through the hearts he touched and the music he immortalised, a testament to a life well-lived and a spirit dearly missed.