From an unlikely cradle of rock-the NYPD Police Academy-sprang day clerk Eddie Mahoney, who spent his nights moonlighting in bar bands under his now-familiar alias before eventually quitting his day gig and moving to Northern California to pursue his rock dreams. A hard grind of clubbing brought Eddie to the attention of Bill Graham, who negotiated a Columbia contract in 1977. Money promptly became the realization of Bruce Springsteen’s everyman heroics: while The Boss sang tales of the working man, Eddie Money sang tales directly to the working man (and woman)-and his run of catchy singles (including this staple of classic rock radio) lasted over a decade.

Eddie Money "Baby Hold On"

Eddie Money Playlist: The Very Best Of Eddie Money