Eddie Money - vocals, sax; Jimmy Lyon - lead guitar; Chris Solberg - guitar, organ; Skip Edwards - piano; Dave Danza - drums; Tim Sheridan - bass
While still promoting his runaway successful debut, Eddie Money recorded this performance for the benefit of promoter/manager Bill Graham's archives. Graham was also his manager, and guided his career for over a decade.
Opening with the forgettable, but typical Money-flavored, "Wanna Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star," he quickly moves into better territory with "Jealousys," and his read of "You've Really Got A Hold On Me." Recorded at My Father's Place in Long Island, it was a coming home party of sorts for the rising star, who was originally from New York but had relocated to San Francisco upon becoming a professional musician.
Other highlights of this show include "Don't Worry," "So Good To Be In Love Again," and a strong closer of "Baby Hold On To Me," "Two Tickets To Paradise," and "Rock & Roll The Place."
Eddie Money, born Ed Mahoney and the son of a New York City policeman, had signed with Bill Graham's Management Company, which explains why he was featured on several of the Bay Area shows from the late-1970s as an opening act. By getting him in front of large, enthusiastic rock audiences (usually there to see an act such as Journey or Santana), Money was able to hone his performance skills and build his fanbase.
His debut on Columbia Records in 1977 included his earliest hits, "Baby, Hold On To Me" and "Two Tickets To Paradise." At the time, Money seemed like another likely successor to the crown that was being worn by Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel at the time. Although he was not known as an instrumentalist, he was a writer of story-songs, rich with urban images and pleas of independence.
In the end, it was Graham who wisely put his money on this scruffy, New York-bred singer/songwriter. Due to non-stop touring, his album started climbing the charts (due mainly to the success of "Two Tickets To Paradise" and "Baby Hold On") and Eddie Money became what he sings about in the opening song—"a rock 'n' roll star."
Although he stopped having hits in the late-1980s, Money has remained active as a recording and touring performer.