Former New York policeman Edward Mahoney dropped a few letters from his name and became a 1970's music star. Who is he?

The journey from a New York City police trainee to a rock and roll icon began with a simple, clever name change. Edward Joseph Mahoney, who came from a family of police officers and briefly followed in their footsteps, decided his surname sounded an awful lot like a certain valuable commodity. He dropped a few letters, embraced the new persona, and moved from New York to the vibrant music scene of Berkeley, California to pursue his dream full-time, leaving the family trade behind for good.

This new identity quickly found a home on the radio. As Eddie Money, he became a staple of late 1970s and 1980s rock with a string of major hits. His self-titled debut album featured the enduring classics "Two Tickets to Paradise (Review)" and "Baby Hold On." His raspy voice and relatable, blue-collar image resonated with audiences, cementing his status as a working-class rock hero who seemed both larger than life and like the guy next door.

His success continued well into the MTV era, most notably with his 1986 comeback hit, "Take Me Home Tonight." That song is especially famous for its guest vocal from Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes, bridging a generational gap and introducing him to a new wave of fans. From the NYPD to the top of the charts, the simple tweak of a name launched a career that spanned decades.