Todd Bryan Eckhardt 1971-2001. Bass player and songwriter for the Washington, DC based Pietasters died in his sleep 11/14/01 of a viral heart infection. He is remembered through his music and in the mind of every person who was entertained by this wonderfully talented individual. He will be missed.

Todd's parents, Gary and Eileen Eckhardt have started a fund at The Duke Ellington School Of The Arts in honor of their son Todd. To read the letter that Todd's parents sent to the school to start the fund, then click here

If you would like to contribute to this fund, then please send all checks here:
Todd Eckhardt Scholarship Fund
c/o The Pietasters
PO Box 4669
Alexandria, VA 22303

Please make all checks out to The Ellington Fund (and please write Todd Eckhardt Scholarship Fund in the memo area so that the school knows it's for Todd's scholarship fund). Please do not send cash if you are sending a donation. Everyone involved in the Pietasters camp as well as Todd's friends and family thank you for your interest in helping to keep the memory of Todd alive.

Below here are a bunch of emails I've gotten from fans upon recieving the news of Todd's passing. The first one is from Todd's older sister...very touching, so thanks to her for contributing, it means a lot that she took the time to do so.

• I'm Kristy Eckhardt, Todd's older sister by 2 years. I wanted each and every friend and fan of Todd's to know how much my family appreciates your e-mails offering condolences and memories of Todd. Todd's passing is difficult for anyone who had the pleasure of knowing such a kind, generous, loving and hilarious soul. Growing up with Todd and later hanging out with him, his friends and the Pietasters was so much fun. Todd and I were very close. I always told everyone I knew that Todd was my favorite person in the world. Every time I came home from college and later law school, Todd and his friends made sure I was well entertained. For those who could not attend his funeral, I wanted to share the letter I wrote to Todd which Steve Jackson read at Todd's funeral. (I was so grateful to Steve for reading it--I was too upset to have gotten through it). The letter read: "Dear Todd, I was only 2 years old when you were born but I remember being so excited to have a little brother. I never dreamed you would be such a source of love, support, comic relief and all around entertainment. I couldn't have asked for anything more in a brother. You were, and always will be, the soul I identify with most. You are so special Todd. Your enormous generosity and compassion for others made you a stand out. I wish you could be here now (and maybe you are here now) looking down on us, so that you might finally realize how truly loved you were by everyone you met. Todd, you touched people in a very special way. You had a way of making people feel at ease and comforted in the most difficult times. I can only hope to fill your shoes in that capacity as I try to reassure our family and friends that you are OK now. Thank you for everything you did for me as a brother (except for the time you goaded me into buying full size adult diapers for your New Year's Eve show with the Meatmen. You were going to play Baby New Year, so OK you needed the diapers--but did you really have to look at the cashier and say, 'Isn't it sad, someone so young needing adult undergarments?' THANKS A LOT TODD!!) But that was what made you so fun to be with---your humor and unpredictability. Your sincere kindness. Your willingness to help others. Your absolutely beautiful soul. We all love you and always will. Love, Kristy"
  
  If you ever met Todd, my family (our Mom and Dad and little sister Stacey) would love to hear any stories you have about your time with him. He was so funny and entertaining. PLEASE, if you have any stories about Todd you'd like to share, it would mean so much to me, my family and his friends to hear them. Please e-mail them to kristyeckhardt@hotmail.com. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to read this, to the Pietasters and to Steve LaPlaca for this website. Love to all from the Eckhardt's and especially from Todd. He loved his friends and fans very much. - from Kristy Eckhardt
  
  
• The news of Todd's passing came as quite a shock, and knowing he'll never be able to perform and write more great music is a terrible loss, but we all must embrace what great work the man left behind. My condolences go out to both The Pietasters as well as Todd's family (who may not read this, but still....), and this page I set up here isn't by far a great tribute, but it definitely helps mourn the loss of Todd. - from Me, Steve LaPlaca (the webmaster of The Pietasters official web page)
  
  
• I would really like it if u want to forward my condolesence to The Pietasters and family of Todd for there terrible loss and want to say that there are many fans here in the Netherlands that live with them and will do everything to support The Pietasters and the family of Todd. I really find it terrible what happened. cheers and oi! for Todd!! - from Dieke
  
  
• My name is Ryan, I have been a big fan of the Pietasters for about the last 4-5 years. My condolences go out to the family and friends of Todd Eckhardt. - from Ryan.
  
  
• Dear Pietasters, Kansas City and all Pietaster fans are sending hugs and sorrows for you guys. I can't imagine how you guys are feeling right now. Todd, who was a very talented musician, will be greatly missed. If you guys need anything Kansas City, will be here for you guys. - from the fans of Kansas City, MO.
  
  
• My heart and prayers go out to the friends and family of Todd.....Especially during the holiday season. The loss of Todd definitely caught me off guard and I hope anyone who reads this gives the ones they love an extra hug today. I don't know what else to say except that I'll be singing extra loud at Fletcher's on Thursday...In Memory of Todd. - from Dave Hart
  
  
• This is just a horrible thing. Much love to those who knew and loved him. I've been a very avid fan for about 7 years now, and just to know that this piece will be missing is very unsettling. My thoughts are with those who are hurting right now because of this loss. I hope to see the Pietasters pull through this, and keep rockin'. - from Kari
  
  
• It's always strange and horrible hearing news of someone's passing, but I've found it's much harder when it is someone whom you looked up to and respected. Todd was an incredible songwriter, (one of my favorite cds of all time is Amwesome Mix Tape #6, and he seemed to have a hand in almost all the songs from that album) and I'm glad that I got to see him perform on many occasions. One of the best experiences I've had at a concert was last May when Todd came back and played Menowannalikki-u. It was great to see him back with the band. Thanks, Todd. - from Brian Ambrose
  
  
• When I was just starting high school my sister and I got turned onto ska. One of the first songs we ever heard was Night Before and we loved it. When we had our christmas money that year one of the first things we did was hit the record stores. We each bought a copy of OoLooLoo. That was one of the first ska records I ever have. Along I think I bought a Scofflaws album and some other ska stuff, but OoLooLoo is one I pull out more than the others. After I heard Todd had died I put the three pietasters albums I had in my disc changer. When I looked at the writing titles I noticed that Todd had a hand in writing most of the songs. Something occured to me then. Ska is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I wonder what would have happened if Todd hadn't played for The Pietasters. Would I have thought less of ska and just moved on? I can't even IMAGINE what my life would be like without ska now. It's that entrenched in my daily life. The long and the short of it is that Todd WAS in The Pietasters and IS a part of The Pietasters. And I can honestly say that Todd Eckhardt helped to change my life.....for the better. Thank you Todd. - from Paul in Atlanta, GA
  
  
• About 4 years ago the Pietasters were touring State College where I went to school. I had been a fan of ska for a few years and always thought it would be fun to play in a band. I never picked up an instrument until I got to college. I was at a Pietasters show just hanging out afterwards and I saw the bassist walk by and just to be nice I said "great show". Todd stopped and actually struck up a conversation with myself and my girlfriend at the time. I don't remember how it started but I remember talking about how I couldn't decide about guitar and bass and he gave me his preferences since he's played both. After saying that I was leaning towards bass he explained how he learned, and some records that I really needed to pick up and listen to in order to write some great basslines. He gave me some great tips and was one of the few times (if any) a performer took the time to stop and just chat to a stranger and fan out of the kindness of his heart. Thanks Todd. Like everyone, I join in when saying we'll miss ya. - from Adam M. in Pittsburgh, PA.
  
  
• My name is Raf and I live in Belgium. I saw the pietasters once in Belgium and they were awesome. It was by far the best gig I've ever seen and experienced. After the concert I talked to Steve Jackson and he was so kind and charismatic. I also play in a Ska-band and I realize how talented the Pietasters are and especially Todd Eckhard who had a hand in almost every Pietasters song. Thank you Pietasters for being such a great band and for three fantastic albums(OoLooLoo, Wilis and Awesome Mix Tape #6) and thank you Todd, we'll miss you. - from Raf and all the fans in Belgium.
  
  
• Heya, I debated on sending this so late after the fact but I just wanted to thank you for posting the e-mail from Todd's sister. I read of Todd's death 2 days afterwards and scoured the internet to find more information about the sad situation. I've never really mourned before but that night I hurt. I actually felt like I lost a close friend I didn't really even know. I was due to have a bunch of friends over for a party...I turned out a Pietasters Marathon tribute from the stereo for all my pals instead. You either hate the Pietasters, like their music or F'ing love the hell outta them.
  
  I love their music to no extent and even though he wasn't with the band anymore the stuff that rocked my ears was triumphant and from a part of his and every other pietasters soul and saga.... I have been a Pietasters fan since 1996 (when they outshined the Bosstones in concert in Seattle) that was the "no turning back" moment for me and I've been hooked ever since. I just wanted it to be known that even though I didn't know him personally he did touch my life in a musical way that no other band has come close to. It's amazing how some people touch so many lives in so many facets and corners of the world without even knowing it. Maybe as a society we outta have memorials and tributes for people while they are alive so they can sit back and drink a few beers while gloating in the fame and warmth of love of those who really "know". - from Shanney P.
  
  I've been listening to the Pietasters since I walked into a small record shop on Sullivan Street in NYC and came across Oolooloo. That was right after the album came out. When I unwrapped the cd and listened to the album I was amazed at the quality of the music and the songwriting, I'd never heard of the band before that and bought it simply from the band pic on the back. They looked like a band I could listen to. Since then, like everyone else reading this, I bought all there albums and spent countless nights and days trying to get a copy of Piestomp. I tell everybody that the Pietasters are the greatest band ever. I came to this web page today, first time in a while, and I was blown away. I never met Todd but I knew his music. He'll be missed greatly and never replaced. He created and helped create the best music the world over. Todd will live everytime I turn on a Pietaster song, I'll never be able to forget this. My belated condolences go out to Todd's family and the Pietasters. Todd was "instrumental" in all of our lives and will live forever. - from Ryan in NYC.
  
  

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