Eddie Money became a household name in the ‘70s and ’80s with songs such as “Baby Hold On,” “Two Tickets to Paradise,” “Shakin’” and “Think I’m in Love.”
He was a regular fixture on Top 40 radio and on the early days of MTV. His albums went platinum, and some of his songs went on to define the ‘80s, to such an extent that a movie that opened in theaters earlier this month about the era, “Take Me Home Tonight,” took a title from one of his songs.
These days, Money is constantly on the road, playing his songs to audiences of all ages. This Saturday, March 19, he will be in Ramona, performing a 7 p.m. show in the Mainstage, 626 Main St.
Money and his band (Tommy Girvin on lead guitar, Glenn Symmonds on drums, Lee Beverly on bass, and Chris Grove on keyboard) crisscross the United States.
“Touring keeps me young,” Money said in a phone interview from Chicago last week.
Money, who turns 62 years old March 21, said he feels lucky to have so many songs that have meant so much to so many people. He regularly meets people who have fallen in love and gotten married to his songs.
It’s no surprise then that Money takes his responsibility as an entertainer so seriously. For example, on some recent shows with the ’80s band Foreigner, Money said he packed his set list with hits, in his eyes the double bill a “battle of the bands” of sorts.
“So many people get nostalgic when they hear my songs, and nostalgia is such a strong source of human emotion,” Money said.
But it’s not all about nostalgia. Money’s fan base also includes many younger people who weren’t alive when his songs first came out. Many grew up listening to their parent’s record collections.
“When I grew up, my father was in World War II. He never was into rock ‘n’ roll,” Money said.
“But for these kids, they grew up with their parents listening to (the songs) and they’re starting to show up at the shows and it’s really interesting.”
Money also has a big following among members of college fraternities. He also has a group of die-hard fans he calls the “Ed Heads” and celebrity fans including Will Smith, former boxer Oscar de la Hoya, late night talk show host Craig Ferguson and comedian Drew Carey.
Though he has a lot of hits to draw back on, Money also has some new material. His newest song is titled “One More Soldier Coming Home.”Money said he chose to record the song after meeting some fans who had children fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently, the song is only available for those who sign up for his mailing list on his website (
www.eddiemoney.com), though the rocker said he’d like to start selling the song so proceeds could go to the National Fallen Heroes Foundation.
He also has a record coming out, titled “Music from the Vault,” that will feature unreleased songs from his 40-year repertoire, including a version of “Mr. Moonlight,” which was popularized by the Beatles, and the Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Darling Be Home Soon."
Overall, though, Money said he feels fortunate that people want to come out and listen to the songs that made him famous.
Tickets for the show are $35. For more information, go to
www.ramonamainstage.com.
Sat Jun 07, 2014 3:43 pm by nerolaty
