SALAMANCA – Tickets to paradise may be priceless, but two tickets to an Eddie Money concert in Salamanca could cost as little as $50.

The iconic rock ‘n’ roll star who spent vast portions of the ’70s and ’80s at the top of U.S. music charts will perform at the Seneca Allegany Events Center on Friday, March 6, with a start time of 7 p.m.

The concert will mark a return trip to Western New York for Money, a New York City native who spent his childhood growing up in the Catskills. Despite exchanging a career on the New York City Police Department for that of a rock star based out of Los Angeles, Money said he always enjoys returning to the east coast and New York state.

“Where do you want to go when the leaves start to turn? You want to go to Upstate New York, that’s what it’s all about,” Money said. “We don’t have that in California. I remember going up to that section of the country with my dad, and he told me ‘Son, this is God’s country,’ and I thought ‘You’re right, this is a great place to live.'”

In a nearly four-decade career, Money has released a healthy collection of Top 40 hits, many of which are still receiving airplay on any classic rock radio station today. Some of his most recognizable songs include “Two Tickets to Paradise,” “Think I’m in Love,” “Baby Hold On” and the Grammy-nominated Billboard Hot 100 hit “Take Me Home Tonight.” Despite the changes experienced by the music industry and the definition of pop music through the years, Money said he is glad to see that the music of his era still has some staying power with consumers of the 21st century.

“My career has had some ups and downs, but to still be out there singing is really great; we still have a lot of fun,” he said. “I’m at a point where I can appreciate what I’ve done for rock ‘n’ roll, and it’s just great that music from the ’70s and ’80s has hung around.”

Even though Money’s output in the way of full-length albums has waned in the past two decades in comparison with his early years, the 65-year-old musician said there is some new material on the horizon – letting on that he has recorded a new album called “Shake That Thing” and is seeking the right label through which it will be distributed.

Additionally, he announced last month that a musical adaptation of his life story will be coming to Broadway in “Two Tickets to Paradise – The Musical.” The concept for the play was inspired by the Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” and will center around Money’s transition from policeman to rock star, as well as narrate the ebbs and flows of Money’s career set to a soundtrack of his music.

Money’s upcoming performance in Salamanca will deliver all of these hit songs in a setlist that was arranged by a fan contest in which participants voted on which songs should be performed on this current tour.

“The show is versatile and interesting, and we really have a good time,” Money said.

Tickets for Money’s March 6 show at the Seneca Allegany Events Center start at $25. For more information, contact the venue at 945-9300, or visit www.senecaalleganycasino.com/ events-center.