RIP Eddie Money (1949-2019)
September 13, 2019 8:19 AM Subscribe
Eddie Money Dies at 70
He showed us that cops could sing years before Cop Rock hit the air. He helped remind us all how awesomely Ronnie Spector sang. His hits, including "Two Tickets to Paradise", "Shakin'", "Take Me Home Tonight", and "I Wanna Go Back", were integral to the soundtrack of the 80s.
In April of 2018, AXS TV gave him and his family their own reality show, "Real Money". In August of 2019, he revealed on the show that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. His family reports that he passed away peacefully in the early hours of this morning.
He showed us that cops could sing years before Cop Rock hit the air. He helped remind us all how awesomely Ronnie Spector sang. His hits, including "Two Tickets to Paradise", "Shakin'", "Take Me Home Tonight", and "I Wanna Go Back", were integral to the soundtrack of the 80s.
In April of 2018, AXS TV gave him and his family their own reality show, "Real Money". In August of 2019, he revealed on the show that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. His family reports that he passed away peacefully in the early hours of this morning.
Take Me Home Tonight indeed. I always had a sneaking admiration for him: he never became a megastar but always seemed to put out decent work. I have a couple of friends who are music journalists and they spoke highly of him as a fine fellow. What more could you ask?
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:26 AM on September 13, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:26 AM on September 13, 2019 [10 favorites]
Sad.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:27 AM on September 13, 2019
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:27 AM on September 13, 2019
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posted by sallybrown at 8:29 AM on September 13, 2019
posted by sallybrown at 8:29 AM on September 13, 2019
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posted by Annabelle74 at 8:29 AM on September 13, 2019
posted by Annabelle74 at 8:29 AM on September 13, 2019
Two Tickets to Paradise was a homecoming theme one year when I was in HS.
Loved that LP.
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posted by terrapin at 8:33 AM on September 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
Loved that LP.
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posted by terrapin at 8:33 AM on September 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
At the turn of the century, one of my friends switched his email notification chime to 'I've got ... TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE!'
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posted by northtwilight at 8:38 AM on September 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
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posted by northtwilight at 8:38 AM on September 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
He wasn't on the list, but yes he was a rock star.
Hope he still has his 2 tickets.
posted by chavenet at 8:39 AM on September 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
Hope he still has his 2 tickets.
posted by chavenet at 8:39 AM on September 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
If you grew up on classic rock radio you know way more Eddie Money songs than you think you do and you probably enjoy the heck out of them.
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posted by HunterFelt at 8:42 AM on September 13, 2019 [24 favorites]
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posted by HunterFelt at 8:42 AM on September 13, 2019 [24 favorites]
I watched some of Real Money in the background between wrestling shows on AXS, and you could always tell (yes, I know it's all heavily edited and acted) that he was a loving family man who just happened to have a weird job.
And my god, those songs. If you don't like anything that he wrote, then you just don't like music.
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posted by Etrigan at 8:53 AM on September 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
And my god, those songs. If you don't like anything that he wrote, then you just don't like music.
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posted by Etrigan at 8:53 AM on September 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
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I taped so many Eddie Money songs off the radio back in the day. The only physical thing I have from my first college boyfriend is The Sound of Money (Eddie Money’s first greatest hits compilation). I borrowed the CD and just never got around to giving it back. That relationship didn’t last very long, but I did play the heck out of that CD during my college days.
posted by SisterHavana at 8:54 AM on September 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
I taped so many Eddie Money songs off the radio back in the day. The only physical thing I have from my first college boyfriend is The Sound of Money (Eddie Money’s first greatest hits compilation). I borrowed the CD and just never got around to giving it back. That relationship didn’t last very long, but I did play the heck out of that CD during my college days.
posted by SisterHavana at 8:54 AM on September 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
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Longmont Potion Castle annoys Eddie Money. (EDIT: Language may be NSFW)
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 8:59 AM on September 13, 2019
Longmont Potion Castle annoys Eddie Money. (EDIT: Language may be NSFW)
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 8:59 AM on September 13, 2019
If he let us go, he must've seen the light.
RIP, Eddie. I learned about Ronnie Spector from you and I will be forever grateful.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:13 AM on September 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
RIP, Eddie. I learned about Ronnie Spector from you and I will be forever grateful.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:13 AM on September 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
Now we have no hope, no jobs, no cash and no money.
posted by Space Coyote at 9:25 AM on September 13, 2019 [21 favorites]
posted by Space Coyote at 9:25 AM on September 13, 2019 [21 favorites]
Damn, I was just listening to Two Tickets this morning on the way into work.
posted by Old'n'Busted at 9:25 AM on September 13, 2019
posted by Old'n'Busted at 9:25 AM on September 13, 2019
He wasn't on the list
Somewhere, a member of Pablo Cruise glances nervously over their shoulder.
posted by thelonius at 9:29 AM on September 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
Somewhere, a member of Pablo Cruise glances nervously over their shoulder.
posted by thelonius at 9:29 AM on September 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
I always thought the guitar solo in Two Tickets was one of the best for a pop song.
Thanks, Eddie.
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posted by conscious matter at 9:33 AM on September 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Thanks, Eddie.
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posted by conscious matter at 9:33 AM on September 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Like Homer said, excellent guitar riff
posted by stevil at 9:34 AM on September 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by stevil at 9:34 AM on September 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
Eddie Money used to visit the video store where I worked in the late 80s (Lafayette, CA) and cut up lines on the glass counter with the store manager, which is why his outrageous late fees for non-return of adult videos were routinely forgiven. He was a cool dude and I hope he cashed in his ticket to paradise.
posted by rekrap at 9:39 AM on September 13, 2019 [22 favorites]
posted by rekrap at 9:39 AM on September 13, 2019 [22 favorites]
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posted by Token Meme at 9:47 AM on September 13, 2019
posted by Token Meme at 9:47 AM on September 13, 2019
I Wanna Go Back gets stuck in my head a lot and unlike a lot of other songs that do that I don't mind.
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posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:53 AM on September 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:53 AM on September 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
There was a surge of songs about guys remembering what their youths were like and reminiscing about old girlfriends. "I Wanna Go Back" hit that nostalgia place, along with Night Ranger's "When You Close Your Eyes" and The Moody Blues' "Your Wildest Dreams" and "I Know You're Out There Somewhere".
posted by hanov3r at 10:02 AM on September 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by hanov3r at 10:02 AM on September 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
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posted by zengargoyle at 10:08 AM on September 13, 2019
posted by zengargoyle at 10:08 AM on September 13, 2019
Shakin' is one of those songs I really dislike, but that can get into my head and stay there for days. Anyone who can write that powerful an earworm deserves a ton of respect.
posted by Mchelly at 10:36 AM on September 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Mchelly at 10:36 AM on September 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
His recent cameo on "The Kominsky Method" as the fake front man of his own Indian Casino cover band, "Freddie Money," was brilliant.
NORMAN: Say hello to Eddie Money.
SANDY: How you doin'? Hey wait- you're the real guy!
EDDIE: Shh. Keep it down, will you, please?
SANDY: I don't understand. Why are you working as a tribute band?
EDDIE: 'Eddie Money' has tax problems... 'Freddie Money' is free and clear!
SANDY: That's interesting.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:51 AM on September 13, 2019 [19 favorites]
NORMAN: Say hello to Eddie Money.
SANDY: How you doin'? Hey wait- you're the real guy!
EDDIE: Shh. Keep it down, will you, please?
SANDY: I don't understand. Why are you working as a tribute band?
EDDIE: 'Eddie Money' has tax problems... 'Freddie Money' is free and clear!
SANDY: That's interesting.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:51 AM on September 13, 2019 [19 favorites]
There was a surge of songs about guys remembering what their youths were like and reminiscing about old girlfriends. "I Wanna Go Back" hit that nostalgia place, along with Night Ranger's "When You Close Your Eyes" and The Moody Blues' "Your Wildest Dreams" and "I Know You're Out There Somewhere".
Not to be too obvious but "Boys of Summer" is sort of the highest expression of this, no?
posted by atoxyl at 11:01 AM on September 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
Not to be too obvious but "Boys of Summer" is sort of the highest expression of this, no?
posted by atoxyl at 11:01 AM on September 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
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posted by Halloween Jack at 11:17 AM on September 13, 2019
posted by Halloween Jack at 11:17 AM on September 13, 2019
Eddie Money is the only rockstar i ever partied with.
So, Eddie, I'll get the scotch.
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posted by clavdivs at 11:50 AM on September 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
So, Eddie, I'll get the scotch.
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posted by clavdivs at 11:50 AM on September 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
A fun, time-warpy Eddie Money story for you all.
My first date with the now-Mrs. Blank was at a festival in Virginia back around 1991. The featured act was Eddie Money, and he closed the show with "Take Me Home Tonight," the song that brought Ronnie Spector back into the limelight (yay Eddie!).
But Ronnie, alas, was not there to sing her parts. Instead, Eddie picked up his baby daughter, all of maybe three years old, and held her to the mic so she could warble "Be my little baby..."
It was easily the most adorable thing I or anyone else has ever seen at a rock show. And I've seen upward of 200 shows.
Fast-forward to a few years ago and a similar festival here in Florida. Once again Eddie comes to that song. And once again his daughter takes the mic. Except this time she doesn't need him to hold her-- the now 20-something Jessica steps up and belts out the same line we heard sing as a baby.
Time flies, my friends. Thinking of Jessica and his four other children today.
posted by martin q blank at 12:07 PM on September 13, 2019 [39 favorites]
My first date with the now-Mrs. Blank was at a festival in Virginia back around 1991. The featured act was Eddie Money, and he closed the show with "Take Me Home Tonight," the song that brought Ronnie Spector back into the limelight (yay Eddie!).
But Ronnie, alas, was not there to sing her parts. Instead, Eddie picked up his baby daughter, all of maybe three years old, and held her to the mic so she could warble "Be my little baby..."
It was easily the most adorable thing I or anyone else has ever seen at a rock show. And I've seen upward of 200 shows.
Fast-forward to a few years ago and a similar festival here in Florida. Once again Eddie comes to that song. And once again his daughter takes the mic. Except this time she doesn't need him to hold her-- the now 20-something Jessica steps up and belts out the same line we heard sing as a baby.
Time flies, my friends. Thinking of Jessica and his four other children today.
posted by martin q blank at 12:07 PM on September 13, 2019 [39 favorites]
Excellent Dracula-themed video for "I Think I'm in Love."
posted by kirkaracha at 2:10 PM on September 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 2:10 PM on September 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
His recent cameo on "The Kominsky Method" as the fake front man of his own Indian Casino cover band, "Freddie Money," was brilliant.
I love when people make fun of themselves. GEICO commercial with Eddie Money running a travel agency.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:13 PM on September 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
I love when people make fun of themselves. GEICO commercial with Eddie Money running a travel agency.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:13 PM on September 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
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posted by get off of my cloud at 3:13 PM on September 13, 2019
posted by get off of my cloud at 3:13 PM on September 13, 2019
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posted by Philofacts at 4:58 PM on September 13, 2019
posted by Philofacts at 4:58 PM on September 13, 2019
A hometown friend of mine, fellow piano student in our late-childhood/tween years, who's now an in-demand NYC multi-instrumental session musician who's played tours with folks from Ozzy to Edgar Winter to Jim Carroll, related this testament to Eddie's down-to-earth-ness and all around niceness today:
"My Big Time Band from the 90s played a few shows with him. We always opened and we had a pretty large ‘footprint’ of gear. He always made sure his enormo-keys rig was shoved to the side so we could look like a band, and every show he’d drop by about 15mins before we’d hit to wish us the best, thank us for being on the show, and generally shoot the shit.
Now that’s the way it SHOULD be....but he’s about the only guy I remember ever opening for with any band that did that.
Salute Sir! ❤️"
posted by Philofacts at 5:08 PM on September 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
"My Big Time Band from the 90s played a few shows with him. We always opened and we had a pretty large ‘footprint’ of gear. He always made sure his enormo-keys rig was shoved to the side so we could look like a band, and every show he’d drop by about 15mins before we’d hit to wish us the best, thank us for being on the show, and generally shoot the shit.
Now that’s the way it SHOULD be....but he’s about the only guy I remember ever opening for with any band that did that.
Salute Sir! ❤️"
posted by Philofacts at 5:08 PM on September 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
"Eddie Money" is one of the greatest rock star names of all time.
posted by straight at 5:40 PM on September 13, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by straight at 5:40 PM on September 13, 2019 [5 favorites]
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Ask what you will about Eddy (like, 'What was the name of his band again?' or 'Multi-instrumentalist?' or 'How in the hell did Bill Graham get involved in *that* story?' ) ... he was most assuredly part of the soundtrack.
In 2008 somebody at Rolling Stone wrote "As long as there's a market for meat-and-potatoes rock, there will be Eddie Money." Whelp.
posted by Twang at 6:19 PM on September 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Ask what you will about Eddy (like, 'What was the name of his band again?' or 'Multi-instrumentalist?' or 'How in the hell did Bill Graham get involved in *that* story?' ) ... he was most assuredly part of the soundtrack.
In 2008 somebody at Rolling Stone wrote "As long as there's a market for meat-and-potatoes rock, there will be Eddie Money." Whelp.
posted by Twang at 6:19 PM on September 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Maybe I'm a fool
For lovin' you
Maybe I'm wrong
For still hangin' on
I've damn sure done this. He put words to what I was living.
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posted by dancestoblue at 12:47 AM on September 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
For lovin' you
Maybe I'm wrong
For still hangin' on
I've damn sure done this. He put words to what I was living.
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posted by dancestoblue at 12:47 AM on September 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
Long time ago, so there are some fuzzy details:
1998 Florida Marlins - 4th of July, Eddie Money played (halftime? after-game?) show. This was the year after the fire sale, in Pro Player (the enormous football stadium that felt empty even with big attendance, and in 1998 attendance was NEVER big), July 4th in South Florida. It just wasn't a great night or crowd.
Eddie Money came out and played his set, walked off to regular applause that died out very quickly. No encore requested. He wasn't bad, it just was the wrong night, wrong crowd, too quiet.
But clearly he was contractually obligated to play for a certain number of songs or amount of time, because he came back 10 seconds later, barked, "What do you have to do to get a fucking encore around here?" and proceeded to play "Two Tickets to Paradise." It really felt like we were all embarrassed and just wanted to get through it. Everyone clapped a little bit harder, but it just wasn't enough. Ugh.
Sorry, Eddie! Thanks for playing for us.
posted by hiker U. at 7:35 AM on September 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
1998 Florida Marlins - 4th of July, Eddie Money played (halftime? after-game?) show. This was the year after the fire sale, in Pro Player (the enormous football stadium that felt empty even with big attendance, and in 1998 attendance was NEVER big), July 4th in South Florida. It just wasn't a great night or crowd.
Eddie Money came out and played his set, walked off to regular applause that died out very quickly. No encore requested. He wasn't bad, it just was the wrong night, wrong crowd, too quiet.
But clearly he was contractually obligated to play for a certain number of songs or amount of time, because he came back 10 seconds later, barked, "What do you have to do to get a fucking encore around here?" and proceeded to play "Two Tickets to Paradise." It really felt like we were all embarrassed and just wanted to get through it. Everyone clapped a little bit harder, but it just wasn't enough. Ugh.
Sorry, Eddie! Thanks for playing for us.
posted by hiker U. at 7:35 AM on September 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
Last night at karaoke, I figured I'd sing "Take Me Home Tonight" out of respect. I couldn't remember how the melodies of the verses went but figured they would come back to me. Nope. Like I'd never heard them before. Damn, though, everyone in the place knew and sang along with the chorus and with every Ronnie Spector part. It was ultimately, I hope, a nice little tribute to how ubiquitous his music is that 50 strangers in a bar in Hawaii could sing every one of those "oh oh oh oh" moments.
Thank you, Mr. Money for decades of musical joy.
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:16 PM on September 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
Thank you, Mr. Money for decades of musical joy.
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:16 PM on September 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
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Many memories connected with his music, especially that road trip to Toronto.
posted by james33 at 5:04 AM on September 15, 2019
Many memories connected with his music, especially that road trip to Toronto.
posted by james33 at 5:04 AM on September 15, 2019
“Think I’m in Love” is seriously underrated. It’s the best Top 40 song of the 80s IMHO. A perfect pop song!
posted by Ike_Arumba at 7:51 AM on September 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Ike_Arumba at 7:51 AM on September 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
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posted by Kevin Street at 2:20 AM on September 16, 2019
posted by Kevin Street at 2:20 AM on September 16, 2019
I just learned today that Money participated in an Alaska-USSR event called Glasnost Folkfest back in 1989
posted by timelord at 1:56 PM on September 17, 2019
posted by timelord at 1:56 PM on September 17, 2019
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