How Eddie Money’s Rock and Roll Dream Came True

Eddie Money seemed to burst onto the national music scene fully formed when his self-titled debut album was released in 1977 and “Two Tickets To Paradise” climbed up the charts, but he had already traveled a long and unlikely road to get there. His journey begins in a New York City police family, quitting the force himself to travel to California, where he realized his dream to become a rock star with the help of legendary promoter Bill Graham. Let’s unpack the incredible journey of this cop-turned-rock’n’roller in this episode of Behind The Song.

Music Producer: Christian Lane
Video Director: Eva Empleo

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About Janda:
Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is a radio DJ at WDRV-FM in Chicago, the city she calls home with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam.

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[doctordetroit]

Eddie was a major part of the soundtrack of my life. I listen to him pretty much every day. I saw him many times and he was always the same awesome Eddie.

[garywheeler]

I've played tickets several thousand times all over the love Eddie

[kentkearney]

Eddie played Rookies Bar in Rochester M.N. toward the end. He was great. He kept his bus there for a few weeks, was taken fishing by the owner, Mark Schneider, several times. I made him a plain ham sandwich while making the band steaks. He needed Money. Sold radio insurance commercial right to use two tickets from my idea to raise quick funds. Will never forget him. R.I.P.

[Whitleytheth]

great presentation and greatly appreciated ma'am...Eddie Money is a Legend...

[amrak]

Bought it the night before release. I was singing the songs as Cleveland's WMMS 101 Debut the album to listeners. Eddie was always a Rock N Roll Star. I wrote something similar on the back of the Album cover that first night! He was a Showmen and Great Entertainer. Only saw 3 shows, but always left you wanting more.

[robertfiorellino]

Such a well done biography. I can remember buying 2 Tickets. I was in a new relationship and as it turns out we are now celebrating 46 years together. I really love his live recordings.

[Peetie_Wheatstraw]

The guitar solo from "Two Tickets To Paradise" is one of my favorites! Great song.

[SSGTStryker]

It’s ironic, I did the exact opposite. I had a very brief career in Rock’n Roll, only to walk away from it all to become a police officer (as well as join the military right after 9/11). 0:13

[ulississandoval]

Two Tickets to Paradise was celebrating 47 years in Rock’n Roll, only to radio station in Dallas, Texas from Lone Star 92.5 has since become a staple of Classic Rock Radio. 0:40

[kndbaystore]

Saw him 1st time in '77 at "The Warehouse" New Orleans. 2nd time I saw Eddie was July 4th of July 1978! at "Gulf Coast Colesium" Biloxi. He opened for Alice Cooper! What a show to see at 18yrs old!

[xrandy]

I saw Eddie Money in concert five times, never as a headliner, always supporting some other act. I know several people who had the same experience, went to a show to see (insert band) and Eddie was the opener. He seemed to be a perpetual opening act, and this was probably smart on his part because though he had great songs and was well-known, he wasn't famous enough to sell out big halls as the headliner, so by opening for bigger acts he got to play bigger places. I do remember him and his band always sounding great though. As for his debut album, it was fantastic and IMO one of the best debuts ever. You had the two hits, Baby Hold On and Two Tickets, but the rest of the album was killer with a great version of You've Really Got A Hold On Me and the standout of the entire record: Save A Little Room In Your Heart For Me, which is life were fair would have been a #1 hit.

[Gerry-zs]

❤. Eddie was and always will be awesome 😊. Good songs.

[normanrockwell]

Eddie Money Sky show 10 KGB 101.5 was an awesome concert. Included Motley Crue . Deff Leopard.

[DonJoyce]

Hey ..who doesn't dream of escaping all this?

[Gerry-zs]

Two tickets to paradise was a great album

[blackwolf]

A friend name Ed was a Marine and saw Eddie in concert back in the early 80's and he said some guy tried to fight Eddie on stage . He said Eddie was a big guy with huge hands . He said one punch and Eddie knocked the guy out as cold as a milk shake 😂 🤣. Great recording artist. RIP Eddie Money.

[russratliff]

Thank you for covering Eddie, my all time favorite, i knew all the stories but loved hearing you share them again

[Johnnyutah-tnoe]

Thank you for sharing this video. For some reason I can't get enough of eddie. 🙏 🤲

[derbydreamer]

Didn't know he was part of Janis and Graham scene. Lil luck o the Irish, and great voice. Another fab episode. Thanks!

[kenozyuk]

I didnt know he was a member of Big Brother & the Holding Company.
BIG fan of his music.