Eddie Money (Edward Joseph Mahoney Mar.21,1949 – Sept.13,2019)

   Eddie Money passed away today.  He was always one of my favourite entertainers.  Top 5 for sure.  I saw him a few times over the years.  Often by myself.  One of those... 'no one wants to go? ... fine, I have no problem going by myself'.  In the fall of 1986 he played The Copa in Toronto.  No one was interested.  I left work, went to the show, slept on a park bench, and went back to work.  No regrets.  I always thought   Eddie put on a heck of a show.

   I guess my favourite Eddie Money memory is from back in 2002.  I drove to Kingsport Tennessee to see him.  I got there, and the guy at the gate said "Eddie Money didn't show up, sorry."  Eddie was on the bill with 38 Special.  So, it's ended up being an extra long 38 Special concert.  Good show, but not Eddie.

   I was extremely disappointed.  Still in Tennessee, the next day I stopped in to the local library (2002 was long before smart phones were so commonplace) and hopped on one of their computers.  After some creative Googling, I found the email address for Eddie's manager.  I wrote him a sort of angry letter, asking why Eddie was a no-show, as no information was giving at the concert venue other than he just didn't show up.


   Eddie's manager forwarded my email to Eddie himself and I got the following reply.

From: Eddie Money 
To: Dave 
Sent: Saturday, July 27, 2002, 10:48:57 AM EDT
Subject: Re: Eddie on tour

Hey Dave,

Sorry you drove so far to find out the show was canceled.  My mother passed away.  The tour is going to continue, but under the circumstances, I did have to cancel a few shows.  We are playing in Buffalo tonight, hope you can make it; I'd love to meet such a dedicated fan!  I sure wish we got to play in Canada a little more often.  


Keep Shakin'
Eddie Money


   His mom passed away?  Well, that's why he didn't show.   I felt like an idiot.  I was embarrassed that I had written that angry email.  Lessen learned.  Don't assume what's going on when the artist doesn't show up for a gig.

   So, I drove to Buffalo for the show.  It was an outdoor event on the street.   At the end of the soundcheck I walked up to the stage area and yelled, Eddie!  I'm the guy from the email!.   He pointed at me and said.  "You!  Get over here!"  Then he asked security to let me through.

   I apologized profusely for the email.  He laughed it off; saying there was no way I could have known.  We chatted for awhile, he signed my t-shirt, and gave me a signed cd, and I went back to my place at the front of the stage.  Great show as always!

   All his albums have been in my regular rotation.  Never stopped digging his music.  To me, he was one of the greats.

Rest in Peace Eddie Money.