History of Eddie Money in Timeline

"Eddie" Money was an American rock singer-songwriter popular in the 1970s and 1980s, known for hits like "Two Tickets to Paradise" and "Take Me Home Tonight." Described as a "working-class rocker," he earned a Grammy Award nomination in 1987.

March 21, 1949: Birth of Eddie Money

Edward Joseph Mahoney, later known as Eddie Money, was born in Manhattan, New York City on March 21, 1949.

1967: High School Graduation

Eddie Money graduated from Island Trees High School in 1967.

1968: Move to Berkeley and Stage Name Adoption

Eddie Money moved to Berkeley, California in 1968, where he started studying with vocal coach Judy Davis and adopted the stage name "Eddie Money".

1968: Leaving the Police Force for Music

In 1968, Eddie Money left his job as a New York City Police Department trainee to pursue a music career, a decision that disappointed his father.

1977: Debut Album Release

Eddie Money signed with Columbia Records and released his debut album in 1977, achieving chart success with singles like "Baby Hold On" and "Two Tickets to Paradise".

1978: American Bandstand Appearance

Eddie Money appeared on the popular music performance show 'American Bandstand' in 1978.

1978: Opening Act for Santana

Eddie Money opened for the band Santana at Boston's Music Hall in 1978.

1979: Music for "Americathon"

Eddie Money wrote and performed original music for the film "Americathon" in 1979.

1980: Overdose and Leg Injury

In 1980, Eddie Money overdosed on a synthetic barbiturate he mistook for cocaine. This incident resulted in damage to the sciatic nerve in his left leg, leaving him with a permanent limp.

1982: MTV Success and Television Appearances

Eddie Money's career got a boost in 1982 due to his popular music videos on MTV for the songs "Think I'm in Love" and "Shakin'". He also appeared on several television shows during this period including, 'The Midnight Special', 'Fridays', and 'Solid Gold'.

1983: Career Decline

Eddie Money's music career experienced a downturn after the release of his 1983 album 'Where's the Party?'.

1984: American Bandstand Appearance

Eddie Money made another appearance on 'American Bandstand' in 1984.

1984: Marriage to Margo Lee Walker

Eddie Money married Margo Lee Walker, a student from Los Angeles, on Valentine's Day in 1984. Despite their attempts to keep the wedding private, they were greeted by a crowd of teenage fans.

1986: Career Comeback with "Can't Hold Back"

Eddie Money made a successful return to the music charts in 1986 with his album "Can't Hold Back", which featured the hit single "Take Me Home Tonight", reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

1987: Music for "Over the Top" and "Back to the Beach"

Eddie Money contributed music to two films in 1987: "Over the Top" and "Back to the Beach".

1987: Grammy Nomination for "Take Me Home Tonight"

Eddie Money's song "Take Me Home Tonight" earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1987.

1987: Grammy Nomination

In 1987, Eddie Money received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for his hit song "Take Me Home Tonight".

1988: Release of "Nothing to Lose"

Eddie Money released the album "Nothing to Lose" in 1988, which included the hit songs "Walk on Water" and "The Love in Your Eyes".

1989: Music for "Hardball"

Eddie Money contributed music to the television series "Hardball", which aired from 1989 to 1990.

1989: Marriage to Laurie Harris

Eddie Money married Laurie Harris in 1989, and they had five children together: Zachary, Jessica, Joseph, Julian, and Desmond. The couple remained married for 30 years, even renewing their vows three months before Money's death.

1990: Music for "Hardball"

Eddie Money contributed music to the television series "Hardball", which aired from 1989 to 1990.

1992: Music for "Kuffs"

Eddie Money wrote and performed original music for the film "Kuffs" in 1992.

1992: Pine Knob Music Theater Residency

Starting in 1992, Eddie Money began a tradition of opening the summer concert season at the Pine Knob Music Theater in Clarkston, Michigan, a practice he continued for 27 years.

1996: Theme Music for "Quack Pack"

Eddie Money composed and performed the theme music for "Quack Pack", a Disney cartoon series, in 1996.

1997: Appearance in "Wonderland" Documentary

Eddie Money was featured in the 1997 documentary film "Wonderland", which focused on Levittown, New York, where Money attended high school.

1999: Guest Appearance on "The Drew Carey Show"

In 1999, Eddie Money played a fictionalized version of himself on an episode of the sitcom "The Drew Carey Show".

March 2000: Eddie Money Purchases Home in Westlake Village

In March 2000, Eddie Money purchased a home in Westlake Village, California, where he lived with his family.

2001: Eddie Money Enters 12-Step Program

In 2001, Eddie Money decided to address his struggles with alcohol and committed to a 12-step program.

May 2002: Guest Appearance on "The King of Queens"

Eddie Money made a guest appearance as himself on the sitcom "The King of Queens" in May 2002.

2003: Eddie Money Achieves Sobriety

By 2003, Eddie Money proudly announced that he was clean and sober, marking a significant triumph in his personal life.

2008: Long Island Music Hall of Fame Induction

In recognition of his contributions to music, Eddie Money was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2008.

January 2010: Liberty Bowl Halftime Performance

Eddie Money performed a medley of his popular songs during the halftime show of the Liberty Bowl in January 2010.

October 2011: "Money in the Morning" Radio Show Host

Eddie Money briefly hosted a radio show called "Money in the Morning" on WSRV, starting in October 2011. The show lasted for approximately three months.

2012: GEICO Commercial

Eddie Money appeared in a GEICO insurance commercial in 2012, where he played a travel agency owner singing his hit "Two Tickets to Paradise".

2014: Kenny Loggins Controversy

In 2014, Eddie Money claimed that Kenny Loggins did not give him credit for singing backing vocals on Loggins' song "I'm Alright" in 1979.

April 8, 2018: Premiere of "Real Money" Reality Series

"Real Money", a reality television show starring Eddie Money and his family, premiered on AXS TV on April 8, 2018. An episode about his cancer diagnosis aired the day before he died.

April 2018: "Weekly Alibi" Interview

In April 2018, Eddie Money gave an interview to "Weekly Alibi", discussing his career, family, and his new television show.

2018: Appearance in "The Kominsky Method"

Eddie Money made an appearance as himself in an episode of the television series "The Kominsky Method" in 2018. In the show, he played a fictionalized version of himself who was having tax troubles.

July 2019: Eddie Money Undergoes Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

In July 2019, Eddie Money, a lifelong smoker, underwent a minimally invasive heart valve replacement surgery. Sadly, he developed pneumonia afterward, leading to the cancellation of scheduled tour dates.