Baby Hold On

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin "Baby Hold On" by Eddie Money from his debut album, Eddie Money! This track, released in 1978, is a classic rock gem with a wild backstory. Eddie once shared a hilarious tale from a 2011 interview about a fan who drove 100 miles to see him perform but got nabbed for doing donuts in a parking lot and ended up with a DUI. The kicker? The fan was bummed Eddie didn’t play "Baby Hold On," so Eddie went back out, played the song, and even slipped the guy some cash for jail. Talk about a dedicated Zoo Freak! The song itself, co-written with guitarist Jimmy Lyon, was inspired by Eddie’s plea to his girlfriend to stick with him despite her mom’s disapproval, who wanted her to ditch Eddie for someone with a "sensible career." It’s got that raw, infectious energy, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its cold vocal ending with Eddie shouting “Hold On” kept DJs like us on our toes.

Another juicy tidbit comes from the song’s creation. "Baby Hold On" was built on a simple but killer guitar riff that Eddie and his band honed during their live shows in Bay Area clubs. The track’s success was no fluke—Eddie’s big break came when rock impresario Bill Graham caught his act and became his manager, landing him a deal with Columbia Records. Graham’s connections got Eddie opening for The Rolling Stones and performing on Saturday Night Live, where he belted out this very song. The album went double platinum, selling over two million copies, proving Eddie’s gritty, working-class rock resonated with fans. Oh, and fun fact: Eddie’s publicist once covered up a near-fatal 1980 fentanyl overdose by calling it a “motorcycle accident.” That’s rock ‘n’ roll, Zoo Crew style!

Now, let’s rewind to how Eddie Money got his start. Born Edward Joseph Mahoney on March 21, 1949, in Manhattan, New York, Eddie grew up in Levittown, Long Island, in a big Irish Catholic family. His dad, Daniel Patrick Mahoney, was a police officer, and Eddie followed in his footsteps, becoming a third-generation NYC cop at 18. But the uniform life wasn’t for him—he quit, later joking he couldn’t see himself with short hair for 20 years. Music was his true calling, sparked by his high school days playing in rock bands to score dates with cheerleaders. In 1968, he split for Berkeley, California, where he ditched his last name’s extra letters and became Eddie Money—a sarcastic nod to always being broke. He studied with vocal coach Judy Davis and started gigging at San Francisco Bay Area clubs, selling bell-bottoms to pay rent. His relentless performing caught Bill Graham’s eye, and by 1976, Eddie was signed to Columbia, dropping his debut album in 1977 with bangers like "Baby Hold On" and "Two Tickets to Paradise."

For all you Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out Eddie’s official website for tour info and merch. His Facebook page is still active, sharing tributes and updates from his family, like the 2024 release of his final song, "Stay with Me." On Instagram, you’ll find posts from his estate and daughter Jesse Money, who often performed with him. Eddie’s X account hasn’t posted since 2019, but it’s got gems like a 2018 post celebrating "Baby Hold On’s" release. For fan vibes, join the Eddie Money Fans Facebook group, where over 2,000 members share memories and rare pics. Another great spot is EddieMoney.net, a fan site with detailed discography and news. So, crank up "Baby Hold On," Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep Eddie’s rock ‘n’ roll spirit alive!