The music industry lost a legend on Thursday when rock star Eddie Money died at the age of 70.
According to a statement from his family, Money “passed away peacefully” after succumbing to a battle with Stage 4 esophageal cancer, which had only been publicly revealed within the past month, Fox Business reported.
The singer was perhaps best known for his hit songs, “Two Tickets to Paradise,” “Take Me Home Tonight,” and “Baby Hold On.”
From police officer to rock star
Money was born in Brooklyn, New York, as Edward Mahoney. He grew up on Long Island and initially attempted to follow his father’s lead and become an officer with the New York Police Department.
However, after only two years on the job he abruptly quit and moved to California where he pursued his dream of being a rock star.
After signing a deal with Columbia Records, Money released his self-titled debut album in 1977 which contained two of the aforementioned big hits, “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Baby Hold On,” both of which reached double-platinum in record sales.
Between 1978 and 1992, Money had a total of 11 singles reach Billboard’s Top 40, with a couple of those songs making the Top 10 on the list.
Over a decade of hits
Though Money stopped putting out albums in the 1990s, he continued to tour and cemented his status in pop culture with numerous cameo appearances in TV shows and commercials. Money even earned his own reality show, “Real Money,” in 2018.
He also created and starred in a musical about his rise to fame in the music industry, which proved popular among his fans. In a press release for the show, Money said, “For me, the musical captures that most important time when you’re starting out before you get jaded.”
Money was described by those who knew him as a down-to-earth, regular guy who would just as soon eat cheeseburgers from McDonald’s as dine in fine restaurants. That image will no doubt live on, as will his music.
Indeed, Fox Business noted that, much like when any other famous musician dies, there will be a flurry of attention toward Money’s past work. Sales of his music will spike along with tribute shows, documentaries about his life and career, and perhaps even a Broadway show in his honor.
Money is survived by his wife Laurie and their five children.