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Photo from toddeckart.myportfolio.com.

“This world is only gonna break your heart”
Chris Isaak, “Wicked Game,” 1989

The Northland was shocked to learn that on Oct. 22 musician Todd Eckart became another sad statistic in wrong-way traffic deaths when a little after 2 pm, a 77-year-old driver going north in the southbound lane of Hwy 53 slammed into Eckert’s van. Both men died.

Eckert was a dedicated road warrior musician whose presence loomed large in the Twin Ports’ live-music scene.

“Todd was an incredibly personable friend and entertainer,” said Alan Jaques and Debbie Bergstrom of Belknap Liquor & Lounge, one of the venues where Eckart often performed. “He measured his success in life in broader terms than money and earthly belongings and truly enjoyed performing in front of people. He knew how to connect with the crowd and turn them into life-long fans. We will miss Todd and his charisma more than words can elaborate.”

He led with personality, stage presence and a love of vintage culture — clothing, architecture, sound. His work included original songs – as heard on his debut album Out of the Blue, released in 2018 – and spirited covers of rock-and-roll classics. 

Former Duluthian and now South Range resident Dana Bach became a Todd Eckart fan just after the turn of the century when he read an item in the Reader about Eckart – performing then as Hot Toddy – playing the music of Chris Isaak on the mezzanine of the NorShor, directly after the sitcom The Chris Isaak Show played on Showtime Monday nights.

“They had these snazzy, loungey dark blue, semi-sparkly suits on,” Bach said. “Their hair was greased back, ‘50s style, or Chris Isaak style. And, yeah, it was really good.”

Guitarist Jimi Cooper, who performed with Todd for nearly two decades, said the connection they shared on stage went beyond the music itself.

“I’ve been playing with him for more than 18 years,” Cooper said. “We played many fundraisers for the Duluth Armory together. Some of our most memorable shows were the Everly Brothers tribute concerts. Todd was always fun to work with. He was a natural front man and really cared about his audience and his band members.

“He was definitely Mr. Vintage,” Cooper added. “He dug deep into the history of rock ’n’ roll for inspiration, and that seemed to be where his heart was. When he hit the stage, he never presented it as a caricature — it was authentic, with fire and true rock ’n’ roll spirit.”

Cooper also recorded with Eckart on Out of the Blue, his first original album. “He was a creative force and the epitome of a full-time musician,” Cooper said. “He always had the ability to really connect with people and wore his heart on his sleeve — to a fault. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed by the music community here.”

Eckart was one of Duluth’s busiest performers, playing venues ranging from Bayfront Festival Park to small neighborhood bars across the region.

For Michelle Miller of the Duluth Armory Arts & Music Center, Eckart’s influence was inseparable from one of the city’s best-loved annual events — the Winter Dance Party.

“The majority of people who came to our Winter Dance Party tributes came because of Todd,” Miller said. “He encapsulated the music of that era so well. He didn’t try to copy it — he truly honored it.”

She recalled how he approached each show with joy and childlike energy. “He’d be all dressed up in a suit, tuning his guitar by the green screen before an interview, just grinning like a little kid in heaven,” she said. “He didn’t care where he was — he was just happy to play.”

Eckart was going to be a featured performer at the 2026 Winter Dance Party, so Miller said stay tuned for what the Armory team is now planning for the upcoming event. “It just seems natural that it would be a tribute to Todd and his contributions,” she said. “We truly want to make this year’s event special.”