Just Like Ronnie Sang: Take This Poster Home Tonight

Bigger look at the poster

I realize that I have stated this before about other artists but I’m about to say it again. Eddie Money, in this particular case,  is one of my favorite performers. How can someone have so many favorites? I have no idea but it is the truth. In October 1995, I was lucky enough to see Eddie up close and personal at the Fillmore. It was not my first time seeing The Money Man. Eddie and I had a long history together. He never knew it but he meant a lot to me. RIP Eddie.

Shakin’ With The Money Man

There will be another time and place for a proper Eddie Money tribute . This is not that time as I stick to the subject of the night in question. Suffice to say, by 1995, I was a veteran fan. A supporter of his music and concerts since 1980. I had many Eddie Money shows under my belt by this time. Most famously being Eddie’s comeback show after a long life-threatening break from performing. This show was in 1982 at the long gone Kabuki Theater in SF’s Japantown. The album was “No Control”. It was a triumphant homecoming for Eddie. See the whole show from 82 HERE. In 1995 however, Eddie’s popularity had fallen a little from his early chart toppers but he still commanded crowds all over the country and especially in his ‘hometown’ of San Francisco.

Openers

The opener was actually Eddie’s lead guitarist, Tommy Girvin. He played a short acoustic set that I enjoyed. I don’t think I realized who he was until Eddie came out later that night. It’s an interesting situation to see a guy trying to launch a solo career by opening for the group he currently plays with. Tommy was a fine opener but the career never took off. He continued to play with Eddie for a number of years.

I had seen the middle band once before. The Tommy Castro Band. I was hooked after seeing the band for a second time. Hooked on the band and the BLUES! I remember buying a CD from Tommy himself that night. It was the first of numerous times I interacted with Tommy Castro and every time he was gracious and appreciative. His set that night was smokin’! So much fun! Tommy was permanently put on my list that night.

Poster

The actual poster we got handed that night is a really fun one. As you can see, it’s Eddie Money’s Communion picture. Every Catholic has a picture like this hanging in their house. You see a pious looking, 8 year old Eddie, kneeling down, grasping his little Bible, in his little prayer hands. The vibe of the poster is very parochial with it’s rocking-angel stained glass windows, old style lettering and beams of sunlight reaching to the heavens. The artist was Jim Phillips. Jim was a very active rock artist in the 90’s. He has multiple Fillmore posters to his credit. Actually, Jim’s claim to fame is skateboard art design. Incredible, award winning work. Another one of his masterpiece Fillmore offerings will be featured here NEXT.

Eddie’s Performance

There aren’t any setlists online from this particular night so I’m not sure what songs he performed. During this time Eddie was mostly keeping to his greatest hits with just a few songs from his latest album, ”Love and Money” . Those greatest hits, however, can fill a whole show. Even a casual fan (of a certain age) will recognize all of the songs. Eddie’s discography includes 11 studio albums, 2 live albums and a bunch of compilation albums.  He has 21 top 100 singles. He has written ANTHEMS that get the crowd going every time. “Shakin’”, “Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star”, “I Think I’m In Love”, “Take Me Home Tonight” and of course “Two Tickets To Paradise”. As always, an Eddie Money show was like spending the evening with a friend. Lots of laughs, a few drinks and kick ass music!