DOWNEY - The Downey Theatre stage probably isn't the first place you'd expect to find aging rocker Eddie Money gyrating his hips and belting out hits from two or three decades ago, but there he was last Friday night, working the crowd into a frenzy and putting on the best concert Downey has experienced in quite some time.At age 63, there is no let up in Eddie Money. Three songs into his two-hour set, Money (real name Edward Mahoney) was drenched in sweat as he frolicked from one end of the stage to the other, slapping hands, bumping knuckles and tossing his trademark shades into the hands of some lucky gal. The show was rocking from the start as Money performed "Baby Hold On" to open the concert. With songs such as "Take Me Home Tonight" (the biggest hit of Money's career) and a cover of Smokey Robinson's "You've Really Got a Hold on Me", the playlist was diverse enough to keep things interesting without straying too far from Money's rock roots. The high point came when Money gave a passionate performance of "One More Soldier Coming Home" in advance of Veterans Day. Several times Money made it a point to thank our soldiers and veterans for their service; he couldn't resist, however, a quick jab at the President, preaching patience because "it's going to be a long four years." Drawing a mixed crowd reaction, Money didn't linger on the topic and got back to the music. A gifted performer, Money played all his hits but saved the best for last, closing out the show with the catchy "Two Tickets to Paradise," the 1978 classic that peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Top 100. After retreating backstage, Money accepted the crowd's chants for an encore and closed the concert (this time for real) with "Shakin'". (The encore was never in doubt - it's not an Eddie Money concert without "Skakin'".) Joining Money onstage was guitarist Tommy Girvin (as Money put it, "My best friend through my last three rehabs"), Glenn Symmonds on drums, Lee Beverly on bass and Chris Grove on keyboard. After the concert, Money made his way to the Downey Theatre lobby where he patiently signed autographs for fans. When he was done, a Cadillac Escalade limousine whisked him and the band away. We hope Eddie Money doesn't wait too long to return.

********** Published: November 15, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 31