Paula Abdul mourns ex bandmember Cleto Escobedo: ‘My heart is heavy’

Paula Abdul mourns the tragic loss of Clete Escobedo III, Jimmy Kimmel Live! Bandleader joins her on her first world tour.

After Cleto’s unexpected death at 59, the Grammy-winning singer shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute on Wednesday, November 12, remembering the talented musician she first met decades ago in Las Vegas.

“My heart is heavy today as we say Clete Codeto Clede Codesto III,” Abdul, 63, along with the throw clip of the two she holds on your back “.” “He first met Cleto when he was playing sax in a small bar at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.”

Abdul was called back and immediately knew that she had to hire him I mean my spelling In 1991 – her first trip around the world – although CleTO never visited.

“His passion and energy was unleashed, and he was on his way to having an amazing future, reuniting with his best friend Jimmy Kimmel as a fan who lives on Jimmy Kimmel. She continued. “Cleto was pure light and soul, both on and off stage.”

Kimmel, who announced CleToo’s death in an Instagram post, also paid tribute to his childhood friend and bandmate in Monolouue on Tuesday night.

“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, son, musician, man, man,” he wrote on Instagram before the show. “CleTO and I have been inseparable since I was 9 years old

Fighting back tears on the air, the late night show will host a group of viewers, “The idea that anyone but him will lead the group is terrifying.”

Jimmy Kimmel Live! This has since taken a short hiatus as Kimmel takes time to grieve.

CleTO’s cause of death has yet to be confirmed, though Six sixth It was said to be due to complications from a liver transplant.