Money Shot

In the '80s, affable palooka Eddie Money became the root of all sorts of evil, but at 55, this cop-dropout-turned-paradise-ticket-scalper is no longer "a man of no control." In fact, he's so wholesome that his tour itinerary includes cherry and balloon festivals, not to mention this area's own family-friendly Old Shawnee Days. The Brooklyn native born Edward Mahoney speaks in a thick "how ya doin'?" accent, though his static-smothered cell-phone connection chopped his game responses into bizarre non-sequiturs:

AM: You performed at two consecutive Spirit Festivals. Are people always receptive to your "I Wanna Go Back" demands?
EM: "You know what's a great line from that song is Hangin' out on a Friday night/The first slow dance, hoping that I'll get it right. [Lengthy indecipherable segment] ... and if St. Louis had a rock hall of fame, I'd be in there."

You made some goofy faces in that "Shakin'" video. Are those normal expressions?
(Crackling) " ... and this drunken Indian punched me, and it broke my jaw in several places, and to this day that side of my mouth is messed up. You can blame the Indian!"

You've played on some bizarre bills in Kansas City, alongside the likes of Cheap Trick and the B-52s. What's the strangest show you've played?
"I did one gig with the Bangles and Pat Benatar, and I did my best to let the women outshine me, but sometimes I'm no good with women. [dead air] ... there was this .38 Special backup singer, and the next thing I know, this guy comes up and decks me."

You've been aSaturday Night Livemusical guest. Did you ever use backing tracks?
"No, I did it live. I remember hanging out with John Belushi. We were so fucking drunk, and he kept saying, 'Edward fucking Mahoney.'"

Where's the party, Eddie?
[Clatter] " ... and I told these guys I don't know how to ride a Harley. So I got on the thing and just smashed into a monitor. I was like Pee Wee on that bike ... [fizz] ... it's a good life, you know? I get out there and sing my skinny ass off until the cops come."