Jimmy Kimmel breaks down in honor of late bandleader Cleto Escobedo III

Jimmy Kimmel opened Tuesday’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” with a heartfelt tribute to his childhood friend and late-night bandleader Cleto Escobedo III, who died Tuesday at the age of 59.

“We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years and I’ve had to do some tough monologues along the way,” Kimmel said, crying. “But this one is the hardest, because late last night and early this morning we lost someone very special who was way too young to go, and I would like to tell you about him. If you don’t mind.”

As Kimmel reflected on his lifelong friendship with Escobedo, photos from their childhood together in Las Vegas appeared on the screen. Escobedo’s father, who is in Kimmel’s band, and mother were present Tuesday night. They were visibly moved by the tribute.

“There was a boy who lived on my street. He lived across the street and two houses down. He was a little over a year older than me. His name was Cleto, but we all called him junior,” Kimmel explained. “Eventually we met and became friends. And not just regular friends. We became 24/7, ‘Mom, please let me sleep over,’ kind of friends. One summer I slept at the Escobedo house for 33 nights in a row. My mother would always let me get down on my knees and beg to sleep in his house for him. And I would happily do it, because we were never bored. We were always up to something.”

Kimmel remembered his lifelong companion through tales of childhood mischief before explaining how he brought Escobedo to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” brought. Kimmel said Escobedo was his first choice to lead his band after launching the show in 2003, although he admitted that his pitch of, “‘My best friend from childhood plays the saxophone, he could lead the band,’ didn’t sound good.” Despite his reservations, Escobedo and his father succeeded in the audition.

“They played ‘Pick Up the Pieces’ by the Average White Band,” Kimmel recalled. “Lloyd saw it. He saw the father and son. He said, ‘I love it!’ And he got up and left. And we have been working together every day for almost 23 years.”

Kimmel later added, “Everyone here on the show is devastated. It’s just not fair. He was the kindest, most humble, friendly and always funny person.”

Kimmel concluded by thanking the audience. He also noted that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will “take the next few nights off” after Escobedo’s death.

Kimmel had to abruptly cancel Thursday’s episode to care for Escobedo as the musician’s condition had worsened. The host shared the news of Escobedo’s death on Instagramwriting, “To say we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old. The fact that we had to work together every day is a dream that neither of us ever imagined would come true. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”

The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” this week’s episodes are touted as having an ’80s theme; Tuesday’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” including Eddie Murphy, Morgan Fairchild and musical guest Men At Work.

That’s not the first time Kimmel has taken a personal day; perhaps most notably, he took time off as his young son Billy underwent treatment for a heart defect that required multiple surgeries. (Billy is now doing well and has made a full recovery.)

Kimmel is known for his close loyalty to friends and family — many of whom he employs on the show — and considering that the situation involved one of his closest friends, it’s no surprise that he put them first and chose to pause Thursday’s show.

Watch Kimmel’s entire tribute below.