Play Song. It climbed to No. 21 and then to its No. Your email address will not be published. Pinball Wizard in Elton’s version uses a piano as the song’s centerpiece instead of the acoustic guitar from the original The Who version of it. John's version uses a piano as the song's centerpiece in place of the acoustic guitar in the original (in the film, John's character is shown playing his pinball machine via a small piano keyboard), and features additional lyrics specially written by Townshend for the movie version, as well as a subtle inclusion of musical phrases f… So it was when Elton John was persuaded by director Ken Russell, after his initial refusal, to play the role of the Pinball Wizard in the 1975 film adaptation of Pete Townshend‘s Tommy. Produced by Gus Dudgeon. Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor. Required fields are marked *. I do not own anything in this video Townshend once called it "the most clumsy piece of writing [he'd] ever done"[1] nevertheless, the song was a commercial success and one of the most recognised tunes from the opera. Ever since I was a young boy, I played the silver ball. Gsus4 G C C Bb Eb Fsus F F G That deaf, dumb an blind kid sure plays mean pinball. A pinball machine of the same name and based on the Broadway musical of Townshend's rock opera was produced by Data East in the 1990s. Elton John’s ‘Pinball Wizard’ is on the 3CD deluxe edition of Diamonds, which can be bought here. In hitting the top ten, Elton’s cover achieved what his own three previous singles written with Bernie Taupin (‘Philadelphia Freedom,’ ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’ and ‘Island Girl’) had all failed to do. G A D F C F/C C F/C C C A pinball wizard's got such a supple wrist. Elton John: "Pinball Wizard" One of the most iconic riffs on acoustic guitar of all-time is the introduction to The Who's "Pinball Wizard." Some rock standards should never be remade, but others lend themselves brilliantly to another distinctive treatment. PREVIEW 1 Song, 10 Minutes. G A D G A D He's a pinball wizard, he's scored a trillion more. John's version uses a piano as the song's centerpiece in place of the acoustic guitar in the original (in the film, John's character is shown playing his pinball machine via a small piano keyboard), and features additional lyrics specially written by Townshend for the movie version, as well as a subtle inclusion of m… Actually the crew had to install a keybaord to Elton's pinball machine to help take Elton's mind off of being up on the boots. 19 on the U.S. The remastering personnel drowned out elton's vocals in that master in favor of jacking up the loudness of the background music. Elton John made an appearance as The Pinball Wizard and performed this song. Pinball Wizard Elton John From the album Caribou. I do not appreciate that. It was a perpetual concert favourite for Who fans due to its pop sound and familiarity. 10:11 . Following this, Townshend, as Tommy's principal composer, discussed the album with Cohn and concluded that, to lighten the load of the rock opera's heavy spiritual overtones (Townshend had recently become deeply interested in the teachings of Meher Baba), the title character, a "deaf, dumb, and blind" boy, should also be particularly good at a certain game. This version was released as a single in 1975 in the US, and in 1976 in the UK, where it reached number 7. To date, it is the only cover of a Who song to reach the top 10. The lyrics are written from the perspective of a pinball champion, called "Local Lad" in the Tommy libretto book, astounded by the skills of the opera's eponymous main character, Tommy Walker: "What makes him so good? The live performances rarely deviated from the album arrangement, save for an occasional jam at the end sometimes leading to another song. ... G A D F C F/C A pinball wizard the world's new pinball lord. The remastering engineers who put together the "Diamonds" version of pinball wizard toned down the harsh edge to elton john's voice present in the 1975 Tommy movie soundtrack version. These boots were worn by Elton John as the Pinball Wizard in Ken Russell's 1975 musical film 'Tommy' based on The Who's 1969 rock opera album of the … The song was performed by Elton John in Ken Russell's 1975 film adaptation of Tommy. The original recording was released as a single in 1969 and reached No. 36. From Soho down to Brighton, I must have played them all. Also slight different in runout code. Elton John made a second major hit from the song when he covered it in the 1970s. Elton duly set about recording his take on Townshend’s ‘Pinball Wizard,’ calling on his usual team of producer Gus Dudgeon and his band featuring Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray, Ray Cooper and Nigel Olsson. 7 peak, sitting next to The Beatles‘ exalted ballad ‘Yesterday,’ which was enjoying success as a UK single release for the first time. At the time Tommy was released, Elton John was already a major international star. 13,723 views, added to favorites 1,189 times. Elton told the crew that he would feel more comfortable with a keyboard in front of him. Bootleg recordings show that this song has been known to last as long as 8 minutes (at a concert at the Rainbow Theatre in London on 3 February 1981), although live versions lasting as long as that are extremely rare. item 7 Elton John - Pinball Wizard / Harmony 7'' Vinyl DJM DJS 10652 1975 1st Press EX 7 - Elton John - Pinball Wizard / Harmony 7'' Vinyl DJM DJS 10652 1975 1st Press EX $10.30 +$9.01 shipping Label: DJM Records (2) - DJS.652 • Format: Vinyl 7 Elton John - Pinball Wizard (1975, Knock-out, Vinyl) | Discogs This song is one of the band's most famous live songs, being played at almost every Who concert since its debut live performance on 2 May 1969. Follow the official Elton John Best Of playlist. Unlike most of the soundtrack's music, which featured various combinations of The Who and some of the era's best session players, John used his own band (Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson, Davey Johnstone and Ray Cooper) and producerGus Dudgeon for the track. In fact, it was his first UK top ten appearance since another cover, of The Beatles’ ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds,’ hit No. Fania Records: How A New York Label Took Salsa To The World, Pride Of The Opry: Charley Pride Makes Musical And Cultural History, ‘Here Come The Warm Jets’: Bathing In Brian Eno’s Genius, Some rock standards should never be remade, but others lend themselves brilliantly to another distinctive treatment. G A D F C F/C A pinball wizard the world's new pinball lord. He scored more. The song was introduced into Tommy as an afterthought[citation needed]. The song "Pinball Wizard" was written and recorded almost immediately. The song is a part of the soundtrack for a pinball machine. Track B from the LP "Elton John" (DJLPS 406). This version was released in 1976 and it reached number 7 in UK charts. Elton John’s version of Pinball Wizard was issued as a single in the U.S. and U.K., where it reached #7 on the pop charts. It plays every song from the album during gameplay, performed by the original musical cast. 2, The Dartmouth Aires performed the song on the, The Vocal Adrenaline glee club performs the song during the ". So it was when Elton John was persuaded by director Ken Russell, after his initial refusal, to play the role of the Pinball Wizard in the 1975 film adaptation of Pete Townshend‘s Tommy. Label: DJM Records (2) - 1 J006-97.589 • Format: Vinyl 7 Elton John - Pinball Wizard (1976, Vinyl) | Discogs Lyrics. Author harry_whitley [a] 129. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) / Pinball Wizard [Live From Moscow / 1979] - EP ... Elton John & Ray Cooper Pop • 2019 Preview SONG TIME Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) / Pinball Wizard (Live From Moscow / 1979) 1. Whatever you do, please stay away from purchasing the remastered edition of the song contained in Elton John's remastered 2017 Diamonds album. "Pinball Wizard" is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the English rock band The Who, and featured on their 1969 rock opera albumTommy. Album Caribou. This is THE version of pinball wizard to BUY. Bruce Springsteen refers to the song in his song. Share. This is a truly legendary song by The Who that is essential to any comprehensive collection. Your email address will not be published. It was a revelation to observe how quickly and efficiently Elton and his band worked, nailing a driving track with solos, lead and backing vocals in less than four hours.”. John has performed the song as part of his Las Vegas Red Piano Show, as well as on various tours. Elton John as The Pinball Wizard, the cocky pinball champion of the world in 7-foot high boots. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1976 Vinyl release of Pinball Wizard on Discogs. The track from ‘Tommy’ became Elton’s first UK top ten single since another cover, of The Beatles’ ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.’. Share. This version was released as a single in 1975 in the US, and in 1976 in the UK, where it reached number 7. The cover of ‘Pinball Wizard’ was only ever a promotional release for the film in America, but in the UK it became a single, entering the chart on 20 March 1976 at No. Pinball Wizard Elton John Buy This Song. His version hit UK #7. Pinball Wizard - Elton John Written by pete townshend Released as a uk single in 1976 Available on the soudtrack tommy Ever since i was a young boy i played the silver ball From soho down to brighton i must have played them all But i ain’t seen nothing like him in … ; Always has a replay; Never tilts at all; That deaf dumb and blind kid; Sure plays a mean pin ball. C D D E E He's scorin' more. Elton John’s version of Pinball Wizard was performed in 1975 in Ken Russell’s film adaptation of the album Tommy. Start Station. In late 1968 or early 1969, when The Who played a rough assembly of their new album to critic Nik Cohn, Cohn gave a lukewarm reaction. Watch the video for Pinball Wizard from Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (40th Anniversary Celebration/ Super Deluxe Edition) for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. Start Station. Tuning: E A D G B E. Key: Cm. The Who & Elton John - Pinball Wizard (Tommy 1975) - YouTube Tommy was made into a movie in 1975 starring Jack Nicholson, Ann Margaret, Tina Turner, and Roger Daltrey (who played Tommy). Despite similar titles it has no musical connection to The Who's 1968 UK single "Dogs". Keith Moon as Uncle Ernie, Frank's clownish perverted pimp friend. Townshend vividly described the recording session for the cover in his Who I Am autobiography. No copyright infringement intended. 10 just before Christmas 1974. 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Eric Clapton as The Preacher, the leader of a Marilyn Monroe-themed cult. The song was performed by Elton John in Ken Russell's 1975 film adaptation of Tommy. FAVORITE (19 fans) Elton John. Tina Turner as The Acid Queen, an erratic prostitute who deals in prophetic LSD. A Side correctly spelled as "Pinball Wizard", in contradiction to Elton John - Pinball Wizard. Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore 2, https://music.fandom.com/wiki/Pinball_Wizard_(Single):Elton_John?oldid=104421, Roger Ruskin-Spear (who was Townshend's roommate at college,) performed the song on his album "Unusual", The song was featured in a medley with another song from, Noted theatre organist Jonas Nordwall has recorded covers on his albums Can't Stop the Music and Bits, Bytes, & Pipes Vol. Is the only cover of a Marilyn Monroe-themed cult has performed the song was introduced Tommy. The Preacher, the leader of a Marilyn Monroe-themed cult for an occasional at. 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