Feature Photo: Arthur D’Amario III / Shutterstock.com
Eddie Money’s story begins in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born Edward Joseph Mahoney on March 21, 1949. Raised in a family with deep roots in law enforcement, he seemed destined to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps as a New York City police officer. After spending two years in the police force, however, Money realized his true calling was music. Leaving the badge behind, he moved to Berkeley, California, in 1968, where he immersed himself in the thriving local rock scene, performing in clubs and steadily developing his signature vocal style that blended rock grit with pop accessibility.
By the mid-1970s, Money’s relentless gigging paid off when he was discovered by legendary concert promoter Bill Graham, who signed him to his management roster. His debut self-titled album, Eddie Money, was released in 1977 on Columbia Records and featured two tracks that would become defining moments of his career: “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Baby Hold On.” These songs not only became radio staples but also helped establish him as one of rock’s rising stars, earning him widespread airplay and a growing fanbase across the United States.
Money maintained momentum with his follow-up album, Life for the Taking in 1978, which included the hit “Maybe I’m a Fool.” Over the next several years, he continued to release a steady stream of albums, such as Playing for Keeps (1980), No Control (1982), and Where’s the Party? (1983). The early 1980s brought a resurgence for Money, particularly with No Control, which produced two of his most enduring hits: “Think I’m in Love” and “Shakin’.” These tracks showcased his ability to deliver rock anthems with undeniable hooks, further solidifying his place in mainstream rock.
In 1986, Money reached another career peak with Can’t Hold Back, an album that produced his highest-charting single, “Take Me Home Tonight.” The duet with Ronnie Spector became a Top 5 Billboard Hot 100 hit and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The song also reignited interest in Spector’s career, making it one of the era’s most celebrated collaborations. Other singles from the album, including “I Wanna Go Back” and “Endless Nights,” also enjoyed chart success, keeping Money in heavy rotation on both rock and pop stations.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw continued output with albums like Nothing to Lose (1988) and Right Here (1991), which featured the hit “I’ll Get By.” Despite shifting trends in the music industry, Money remained a consistent touring presence, known for his high-energy performances and strong connection with audiences. His career spanned over four decades, producing eleven studio albums and multiple live and compilation releases. His music bridged generations, with many of his songs becoming fixtures in classic rock playlists long after their initial release.
Outside of music, Eddie Money’s personality and charisma made him a frequent presence in television commercials, guest appearances, and later reality TV, notably his family’s show Real Money on AXS TV in 2018. He was open about his struggles with addiction and his recovery journey, often using his platform to speak candidly about the challenges of the music industry and personal resilience.
Eddie Money passed away on September 13, 2019, at the age of 70, after being diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer earlier that year. His passing was widely mourned across the music community, a testament to his enduring impact on rock music and popular culture. His legacy lives on through his chart-topping hits, his unforgettable live shows, and the way his songs continue to resonate with fans old and new.
Complete List Of Eddie Money Songs From A to Z
- After This Love Is Gone – Love and Money – 1995
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- Almost Like We Never Met – Love and Money – 1995
- Another Nice Day in L.A. – Right Here – 1991
- Baby Hold On – Eddie Money – 1977
- Baby, Now That I’ve Found You – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- Back on the Road – Where’s the Party? – 1983
- Backtrack – Where’s the Party? – 1983
- Bad Boy – Nothing to Lose – 1988
- Bad Girls – Where’s the Party? – 1983
- Boardwalk Baby – Nothing to Lose – 1988
- Bring On the Rain – Can’t Hold Back – 1986
- Broken Down Chevy (God Only Knows) – Ready Eddie – 1999
- Build Me Up Buttercup – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- Call On Me – Life for the Taking – 1978
- Calm Before the Storm – Can’t Hold Back – 1986
- Can’t Go On – Ready Eddie – 1999
- Can’t Keep a Good Man Down – Life for the Taking – 1978
- Club Michelle – Where’s the Party? – 1983
- Dancing with Mr. Jitters – Nothing to Lose – 1988
- Died a Thousand Times – Love and Money – 1995
- Don’t Let Go – Where’s the Party? – 1983
- Don’t Say No Tonight – Ready Eddie – 1999
- Don’t Worry – Eddie Money – 1977
- Drivin’ Me Crazy – No Control – 1982
- Endless Nights – Can’t Hold Back – 1986
- Expressway to Your Heart – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- Fall in Love Again – Right Here – 1991
- Far Cry from a Heartache – Nothing to Lose – 1988
- Fire and Water – Right Here – 1991
- Forget About Love – Nothing to Lose – 1988
- Gamblin’ Man – Eddie Money – 1977
- Get a Move On – Playing for Keeps – 1980
- Gimme Some Water – Life for the Taking – 1978
- Good Lovin’ – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- Got to Get Another Girl – Eddie Money – 1977
- Hard Life – No Control – 1982
- Heaven in the Back Seat – Right Here – 1991
- Higher and Higher – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- Hold On, I’m Comin’ – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- I Can’t Hold Back – Can’t Hold Back – 1986
- I Wanna Go Back – Can’t Hold Back – 1986
- I’ll Be the Fire – Love and Money – 1995
- I’ll Get By – Right Here – 1991
- I’m Comin’ – Love and Money – 1995
- It Could Happen to You – No Control – 1982
- It’s Gotta Be Love – Ready Eddie – 1999
- Jealousys – Eddie Money – 1977
- Jenny Take a Ride – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- Just No Givin’ Up – Love and Money – 1995
- Keep My Motor Runnin’ – No Control – 1982
- Land of a Thousand Dances – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- Leave It to Me – Where’s the Party? – 1983
- Let It Go – Ready Eddie – 1999
- Let Me In – Nothing to Lose – 1988
- Let’s Be Lovers Again – Playing for Keeps – 1980
- Life for the Taking – Life for the Taking – 1978
- Love the Way You Love Me – Life for the Taking – 1978
- Magic – Nothing to Lose – 1988
- Maureen – Life for the Taking – 1978
- Maybe I’m a Fool – Life for the Taking – 1978
- Maybe Tomorrow – Where’s the Party? – 1983
- Million Dollar Girl – Playing for Keeps – 1980
- Mockingbird – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- My Friends, My Friends – No Control – 1982
- Need a Little Rock – Ready Eddie – 1999
- Nightmare – Life for the Taking – 1978
- No Control – No Control – 1982
- Nobody – Life for the Taking – 1978
- Nobody Knows (from Playing for Keeps) – Playing for Keeps – 1980
- Nobody Knows (from Ready Eddie) – Ready Eddie – 1999
- One Chance – Can’t Hold Back – 1986
- One Love – Can’t Hold Back – 1986
- Passing By the Graveyard (Song for John B.) – No Control – 1982
- Please Please/Baby Don’t You Weep – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- Prove It Every Night – Right Here – 1991
- Pull Together – Nothing to Lose – 1988
- Ready to Rock – Ready Eddie – 1999
- Rock and Roll the Place – Life for the Taking – 1978
- Run Right Back – Right Here – 1991
- Run Your Hurt Away – Love and Money – 1995
- Runnin’ Away – No Control – 1982
- Running Back – Playing for Keeps – 1980
- Running Out of Reasons – Love and Money – 1995
- Satin Angel – Playing for Keeps – 1980
- Save a Little Room in Your Heart for Me – Eddie Money – 1977
- Shakin’ – No Control – 1982
- She Takes My Breath Away – Right Here – 1991
- She’s Like a Movie – Love and Money – 1995
- So Cold Tonight – Ready Eddie – 1999
- So Good to Be in Love Again – Eddie Money – 1977
- Stranger in a Strange Land – Can’t Hold Back – 1986
- Take a Little Bit – No Control – 1982
- Take It from the Heart – Love and Money – 1995
- Take Me Home Tonight – Can’t Hold Back – 1986
- The Big Crash – Where’s the Party? – 1983
- The Love in Your Eyes – Nothing to Lose – 1988
- The Wish – Playing for Keeps – 1980
- There Will Never Be Another You – Love and Money – 1995
- Things Are Much Better Today – Right Here – 1991
- Think I’m in Love – No Control – 1982
- Think Twice – Right Here – 1991
- Trinidad – Playing for Keeps – 1980
- Turn the Light Off – Ready Eddie – 1999
- Two Tickets to Paradise – Eddie Money – 1977
- Walk on Water – Nothing to Lose – 1988
- Wanna Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star – Eddie Money – 1977
- We Should Be Sleeping – Can’t Hold Back – 1986
- When You Gonna Satisfy Me – Ready Eddie – 1999
- When You Took My Heart – Playing for Keeps – 1980
- Where’s the Party? – Where’s the Party? – 1983
- You Don’t Know Me – Wanna Go Back – 2007
- You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me – Eddie Money – 1977
Albums
Eddie Money (1977): 10 songs
Life for the Taking (1978): 10 songs
Playing for Keeps (1980): 9 songs
No Control (1982): 11 songs
Where’s the Party? (1983): 9 songs
Can’t Hold Back (1986): 10 songs
Nothing to Lose (1988): 10 songs
Right Here (1991): 10 songs
Love and Money (1995): 11 songs
Ready Eddie (1999): 11 songs
Wanna Go Back (2007): 12 songs
Check out similar articles and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com
Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory