Rocker Eddie Money's 'Paradise' Found

ST. PETERSBURG – Eddie Money hit the Jannus Live courtyard and gave fans an energy-packed performance.

Not bad for a 62-year-old guy who almost died from a drug overdose when his career peaked years ago.

A now-sober Eddie Money still has the energy to captivate fans with nostalgic memories of listening to his rockin' love songs, perhaps on the eight-track in their Mustangs or GTOs.

At Jannus Live, grandparents, middle-aged fans with their own children, sentimental couples all showed up to see Money, looking dapper in a jacket that he could have worn for a job interview.

His hair is overgrown, but Money looked surprisingly fit as he blew on a saxophone or played the harmonica.

Money's revival for fans looking for a sentimental journey marks another new beginning for the musician, who indeed seems to hold the winning lottery tickets to life's jackpot.

Members of the audience clearly seemed to know Eddie Money's background. Born in Brooklyn, he was a cop when he traded his badge for a microphone and made it big as a rock n' roller.

From "Two Tickets to Paradise" to "Baby, Hold On" and "Take Me Home Tonight," Eddie Money's rock ballads have energy, a good beat and simple themes about love and escaping the hard times.

It is easy in these hard economic times to see the aging rocker's appeal. Like so many rockers, Eddie Money fell victim to drug and alcohol abuse after his career took off. It was the late '70s and drugs had a cache that they lack in this age of information and 12-step programs.

The suddenly sucessful rocker saw his new singles flop. He blamed everything but his addiction. It took many years for Money to get his life back together.

This comeback seems like the real thing. Sober and fit at 62, the singer seems like he has found paradise. Money is super-busy as a comeback artist, doing radio/TV interviews and volunteer work raising money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes charity, which supports severely wounded American soldiers and their families.

He's making music and making fans happy.