Eddie Money - lead vocals; Randy Nichols - keyboards; Ralph Carter - bass guitar; Frank Linx - rhythm guitar; Charlie Molasses - guitar; Dan Sandler - drums
This explosive performance sees Eddie Money thriving in his natural habitat, an arena. While some artists are best seen at small, more personal venues, Money's giant hooks, powerful voice, and bombastic arrangements are best suited for the arena show.
Throughout the 80-minute concert, Money is comfortable and full of energy, as he effortlessly glides through stirring ballads and rollicking, upbeat numbers alike. His calling card has always been his powerful pipes, and they are on full display, especially on numbers like the driving "Think I'm In Love" and the classic, "Shakin'." Performances like this show why Bill Graham, who managed Eddie for a time, took such a strong interest in him. Eddie's impressive songwriting and sharp ear for a catchy melody made him stand out from the rest of the arena rock riffraff.
One of the highlights of the show is the band's interplay with the crowd. The group's ability to include the crowd with sing-a-longs, call-and-responses, and jocular stage banter gives the show a surprisingly intimate feel. Musically, the outfit excels when they serve up straight-forward pop 'n' roll, with a premium on hooks and melodies. "Two Tickets to Paradise" sounds massive, and "Bad Girls" is guaranteed to kickstart your heart. For the romantics, Eddie and the boys offer a few heartfelt, dynamic ballads, such as "Baby Hold On" and "My Friends, My Friends."
With just one listen, it is becomes apparent why Eddie Money was such a huge success, selling over 10 million albums. His versatile songwriting mixed with his amiable, excitable nature turned out to be the perfect combination.
Edward Joseph Mahoney, aka Eddie Money, was born on March 21st, 1949 in New York City. He was the son of a NYC police officer, who moved the family to Long Island during Eddie's childhood. He started singing for local bands in high school and was forced to enroll in the New York Police Academy, so he would not be drafted into the Vietnam War. Money worked as a police cadet for a few years, but was quickly disillusioned by the harsh behavior of many of his peers. "I grew up with respect for the idea of preserving law and order, and then all of a sudden cops became pigs and it broke my heart."
By the mid-'70s, Money was out of the force and en route to San Francisco. He worked retail, while working to get involved in the local scene. In 1977, he released his debut self-titled album. The album was a huge success with its lead single, "Two Tickets to Paradise," becoming a smash hit on radio. It also features an excellent version of the Smokey Robinson number, "You've Really Got a Hold on Me." The album hit #37 on the charts, and established Money as a rising star in the rock scene.
Through the end of the '80s, Money released six more albums, most of which were big successes. His two biggest successes, No Control (1982) and Can't Hold Back (1986), combined to sell over seven million copies. While he penned many songs that would hit big, none would hit bigger than "Take Me Home Tonight" from Can't Hold Back. The track is an absurdly catchy, passionate duet with Ronnie Spector, the lead vocalist of the Ronettes, and has since become one of the most iconic songs of the decade.
Though his star significantly dipped in the '90s, he continues to release records and tour. He is very active in numerous philanthropic endeavors, such as the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. He has also appeared on network television, on such shows as Kevin James' King of Queens and The Rosie O'Donnell Show. He currently splits time between California and Florida with his family.