TwinCities.com: Eddie Money, who left behind a career as a New York police officer to become one of the top-selling rock stars of the 1970s and ’80s, with hits like Two Tickets to Paradise and Take Me Home Tonight, has died. He was 70. Money had recently announced that he had advanced cancer.

In 1987, the husky-voiced, blue collar performer received a best rock vocal Grammy nomination for “Take Me Home Tonight,” which featured a cameo from Ronnie Spector.

He announced his cancer diagnosis via a video last month from his AXS TV reality series “Real Money.” He had numerous health problems recently, including heart valve surgery earlier this year and pneumonia after the procedure, leading to his cancellation of a planned summer tour.

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora tweeted “God Bless Eddie Money,” while Debbie Gibson called him a “true legend.”

“Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Baby Hold On” both reached the top 30 in the late 1970s and his self-titled debut album went platinum. Money’s other hits included “Maybe I’m a Fool,” ”Walk On Water” and “Think I’m in Love.”

In 1980, he sustained nerve damage in his legs after overdosing on alcohol and barbiturates (and) continued to struggle with alcohol addiction before joining a 12-step program in 2001.

The final five episodes of his TV series will air on Thursdays.