Tommy - Pinball Wizard - The Who/Elton John (1975 Film)

Available on DVD and Blu Ray through www.umbrellaent.com.au
DVD and BLU-RAY
Pinball Wizard by Elton John and The Who.
Tommy 1975:
After witnessing his mother (Ann-Margret) and her lover (Oliver Reed) murder his father, Tommy is commanded, ""You didn't hear it, you didn't see it, and you won't say anything to anyone."" Traumatized, the boy retreats into the shadows of his mind and becomes deaf, dumb and blind.
Growing into manhood, Tommy (Roger Daltrey) is subjected to bizarre cure attempts by The Acid Queen (Tina Turner), the Preacher (Eric Clapton), and the Specialist (Jack Nicholson) and in spite of his handicap defeats the Pinball Wizard (Elton John) to become the champ, hailed by devoted fans as a ""Messiah.""
With classic rock opera moments including ""Pinball Wizard"", ""The Acid Queen"", ""See Me, Feel Me" and starring Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Elton John, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and Jack Nicholson, Tommy is set to rock your senses all over again with a newly restored print and an original source 5.1 surround sound extravaganza!

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

I remember seeing this in the theater when it first came out. It totally blew my mind. After the movie, I sat stunned waiting for my parents to pick me up, take me home. In those moments, I knew my life would never be the same again. I became a lifelong musician, and at 61, I still play keyboards in a rock band.

[@frankthespank]

But do you play a mean pinball?

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@frankthespank I play a sort of Aggressive pinball, but not quite mean. LOL I do get pretty physically/vocally expressive. Feet firmly planted, hips and shoulders moving wildly, and hands on the machine, both pressing the buttons like a mad man, and bumping the table, trying to make the ball do my bidding. What I lack, is any kind of coherent strategy, just trying to get the ball to hit as many things as I can, and keep it from going down the chute. What an amazing invention!

[@michaelgwyndavies2827]

I know just how you feel. but did you ever feel the need to trash your keyboard, and or drum kit, guitar be it base or lead or do other members just lead you to a pinball machine, he has crazy little fingers after all, How do think he does it ?

[@anthonyforte7907]

@@michaelgwyndavies2827 Idk

[@michaelgwyndavies2827]

@@anthonyforte7907 explain idk please or just call me daft no freaks going to beat my hand,damn he is just breaking every damn rule. Goodnight.

[@trex450flyer]

Can we take 5 minutes and 8 seconds to appreciate how great the 70's were?

[@ChatGPT1111]

Indeed, there's something about this era and Elton in particular that really makes you live the moment. Elton all but owned the 1970's and his songs comprised about half of the airtime in Los Angeles in the early/mid-70's. I was once waiting for a flight at LAX around 1973 when I was 14 and remember a very large number of females quickly running down the concourse screaming "Elton's here"!

[@linjicakonikon7666]

The 70s were an abyssal ghetto of culture.

[@ChatGPT1111]

@@linjicakonikon7666 if you mean people weren't self-congratulating themselves every minute of every day for bringing up the value of select cultural groups over others, you'd be right.

[@amaj7313]

@@ChatGPT1111 Nice one!

[@bobdobalina838]

Dude, I'd take 5 years and 8 months! Glorious days they were, before technology came to enslave us. I mean do you see a single cell phone in that crowd? That was freedom

[@dsymms8527]

This is when Elton was able to sing with that particular higher pitch that almost sounds sped up,but wasn't. Unique tone.

[@compfox]

It is pitched up in this bad recording..

[@beeleo]

@@compfox LOLOLOL... exactly. There are plenty of WAY better recordings of this out there.

[@beeleo]

"that almost sounds sped up,but wasn't." WHAT??? I hope you're trying to be funny because this is obviously sped up. You've just never heard this song played correctly.

[@dsymms8527]

Yes, " trying to be funny". By the way, I think you mean upload not recording.

[@dsymms8527]

By the way, Elton could sing like this without things having to be manipulated. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is one example.

[@caroldaronch1974]

Young people today will never experience the icons that started it all back in the day

[@BJones-c6y]

Everyone thought young folks out of control at that point . 🤣

[@soledadnad]

Les 70's ont marqué my génération.....quel bonheur j'ai pu les voir en 1972 et plus tard. Quel groupe énergique et des musiciens hors pair.

[@LKMNOP]

​@Slayy_queen4lifeIt's not knowing who Elton John is It's experiencing when he first became who he is. And hearing him in concert for the first times and all of the energy that was at that time. And he wasn't necessarily talking just about Elton John. The who was fantastic. And most of these guys are dead now.

[@brendafabulous]

Very true!

[@atanasiomartinez]

I was just an 8 year old kid in the audience the day they were filming this with Elton John and The Who. I was already a Who fan thanks to my elder brothers and the Who happened to be filming Tommy in my home town that summer. I was on my way home from school and walking past the Kings Theatre when I joined a crowd of trendy teenagers and got ushered in as extras all who were invited to form the crowds in the scene. I ended up on the shoulders of a young man who stood on the chairs in upper circle. It was pretty hairy but the excitement is something that never left me all my life. It was my first concert and my first shoot. Took me 40 years to see them in concert again.

[@TheTmny876able]

Well lucky you !, my god this film is legendary to be part of 'Tommy' would be a dream for me Oliver reed, Jack nickolson, Anne (beautiful) margaret, Elton and the who !

[@RJ-ss6gu]

PURE AWESOMENESS ❤️

[@snydmark]

Hey thanks that's a great story!

[@paulsteezo1772]

Did Pedo Pete offer you candy?

[@fufafichi]

which town?

[@bluehealer81]

Trivia: The wardrobe department had gone so over budget by this point in the movie, they were forced to ask Elton John to just bring in some of his own ordinary, everyday street clothes to shoot this scene. Thankfully, he obliged.

[@ARLimon74]

LOL 😆 LOL 😆!

[@ozdorothyfan]

So they spent the entire wardrobe budget on those big doc marten boots.

[@orcinus6802]

No matter how many times I watch this video, those giant Dr. Martens on Elton always make me smile!

[@mjh5437]

They`re in the DMs Museum in Northampton now.

[@aleksandrbmelnikov]

Funny that Elton sold them. Only way he would play the role, was if they let him keep those boots.

[@CoCotheTurtle]

And it's where the "The bigger the feet..." conjecture started.

[@Falconlibrary]

This isn't a scene from "Tommy". It's just Elton John hanging around his house on a normal Tuesday afternoon.

[@Sekhubara]

Daniel Bradford Totally!

[@heywoodjerbloume]

When George Micheal was arrested his cell mate was a skinhead.When released George recorded Hairless Fister.

[@Sekhubara]

Craven Morehead Get out!

[@comettamer]

Daniel Bradford Lmao. Pretty sure I saw Freddy Mercury in the audience nodding in approval.

[@Sekhubara]

comettamer Wait, what? Where?

[@ernestgamez9794]

Elton John and The Who together In Tommy. A Classic masterpiece...

[@danieleclauzel1674]

absolutely !

[@nsnopper]

And it’s the original band, with Keith Moon.

[@larrydockery7201]

it was more than a masterpiece it was awesome as hell takes me back good time i loved the 70s love to go back

[@ian1eh944]

While the Who's version of this song is great, I have always thought that Elton's version is just stellar! He really took it to the next level with the production, piano, etc.....

[@danieleclauzel1674]

I agree

[@vincentdaversa776]

Yes great ending and solo ..a really Kool sound that went with the Era!! 🎹🎹

[@moominpic]

agreed

[@roberthansen7549]

It was all Townsend. This was from the movie the wall. Elton was a great choice for the movie

[@davebloke829]

@@roberthansen7549 eh? The Wall was Pink Floyd mate! lol

[@moonman9452]

4 of us guys went to see this in 75 we were so stoned that this is the only part I can remember.

[@oklahomawoman446]

I remember that my friend Gail, our friend Charles and I called in to our jobs that night to go see that POS movie. It's the only part we remember, also. LOL The 70's WERE fun, weren't they? ;)

[@karenm1634]

I got my grandmother to take me to see this ( my sister wanted to see "Jaws").... Grandma kind of liked the music but thought the movie was weird...lol

[@mikesetran1349]

Yep, same here! I was forbidden to see the movie by my parents. Jumped on the forever reliable & always ready Schwinn Varsity & watched my first rock opera & as a bonus, never got caught! If Heaven isn't 1975 at 15 years old, I don't want to go. Cheers moon man!

[@robertflowers6621]

I sort of remember it the same way, saw it with some college buddies, "stoned agin"!

[@old-manparker6153]

Elton John at the peak of his amazing abilities as a singer/performer. The Who as Elton's back up band at their peak of their oh-so-cool onstage antics ( Pete's conspicuous consumption of destroying guitars ). Roger Daltrey at the peak of his insanely sexy muscular hairless blonde-hair blue-eyed good looks - and it's filmed in an era before M-TV or music videos are invented. This was a moment that altered the rock & roll universe forever. Watch this, my children, and understand "genius"!

[@draculasneeze6681]

liked dee murrays guitar solo better.

[@nickcox2974]

Yes I agree must say the 70s was the best years Today I still look back thinking how good we had days of brilliant music and rock

[@Chris_34]

Spice Girls: "we had the tallest platform shoes in music" Elton: "hold my beer"

[@okamijubei]

Can the spice girls play the pinball under their own brand name?

[@terriclifton2462]

😂😂😂

[@ednguyen3822]

More creativity and inventiveness in this short 5 minute clip than in most full length movies nowadays.

[@ARLimon74]

No kidding!

[@stevieg7228]

Elton John was absolutely perfect for this scene. On top of being one the greatest musicians ever, he really looks like he also could have had a career in acting.

[@res20stupid]

He only agreed to do this scene if he could keep the shoes.

[@treebahn]

He does look like a British TV actor. There’s like a face they have.

[@colinrobsonohhiokfhijjupmi8640]

Pk

[@yvonnemulder9038]

@@treebahn yes , Brits always pretend

[@linjicakonikon7666]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@RedSiegfried]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how good Ann Margret rolling around in baked beans is?

[@bloke_19xx33]

Agreed…she still looks great (I don’t care how old she is).

[@michaelgwyndavies2827]

She let down the troops in south east Asia, not her fault though Saigon fell,

[@nsnopper]

I’ll second that.

[@thechase-secondchance5077]

I was a pre-teen in the mid-70s. Some rainy or snowy Saturday or Sunday afternoons, I'd be stuck inside. Sometimes I'd play with whatever toys or puzzles I had or I would read and sometimes I'd watch TV. Once, a rerun of Viva Las Vegas, with Elvis and Ann Margret was playing. I was about 9 or 10, but watching Ann Margret on screen, I knew I was heterosexual. #ComingOfAge

[@jamesschaidt1096]

That was a lil naughty, wasn't it ? :)

[@johnbean414]

Tommy was the "other" mid-night movie where I'm from. One theater would show Rocky Horror, the other Tommy. I can't tell you how many times I saw this In my teens.

[@sistasunshine1697]

I was 12 years old when me and my friends went to the local movie theater in illinois to see this movie. To say my mind was blown away .....is an understatement. Thank god😂❤

[@scottsnothome5649]

The Elton John Band does not suck. The Who are absolutely hero's.

[@alexasaltz4229]

Nobody but Tina could do The Acid Queen... Had to see this today. Much respect...

[@deanhills6745]

I watch this and laugh with joy! God, we were spoiled, and didn't even know it. Those shoes!!!

[@gerardodoherty9178]

Ikr. Can't get a pair of doc martens like that for love nor money these days. Even inserts don't make you quite as tall

[@alexanderSydneyOz]

"we were spoiled, and didn't even know it. " That's why 21st century popular music came along; to make you realise how spoilt you were in the prior century.

[@tantrismx]

This is: the best scene of the movie, the best theme of the film, the best song of The Who, and the best performance of Elton John. Anything else?

[@SpiritedHeart94]

tantrismx the best shoes ever worn? Lmao

[@tantrismx]

and also the best eye glasses frame, lol (and cap) :P

[@JovialEclipse]

tantrismx Pinball Arcade has a remix of it.

[@idunnobutyay2520]

tantrismx the most exciting scene

[@spaceclown7650]

@UsirRaMaroon I have to admit I was a little disappointed the video cut off right before the Ann Margret scene.

[@Price70]

I'm a huge fan of The Who and a moderate Elton fan but Elton owned this song from the moment he recorded it

[@loritriba8093]

AGREED. (Though I'm more than a moderate Elton fan, but DEF a huge Who fan). This version ROCKS!!!

[@gingerp6631]

The chorus from this song just popped in my head this afternoon. Just out of nowhere. I remembered the 1975 hit by Elton John. Love this version over "The Who's" original. Elton made it better IMO. Elton's costume is hilarious. Love his facial expressions, and I want that hat!

[@linjicakonikon7666]

Take your meds. Your critical thinking is shot.

[@evanabbott2737]

I like Elton’s version better, too. I especially like the way he sings the chorus.👍

[@WilliamRobinson-fo8vq]

Yes we will take 5 minutes and 8 seconds so that we will recognize how gifted and great Sir Elton John is YOU ROCK Elton ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@fredflintstone1316]

Hard to notice with all the enormous talent, but that is one cooking bass line! Entwistle best ever hands down!

[@RJS1974]

Elton used his own band to record his version of the song. The Who are not really playing here.

[@johnleurck7139]

Dee Murray is the bassist you're hearing here

[@carlabamford9154]

John Alec Entwhistle, AKA The Ox, AKA Thunderfingers. I could watch him play bass all day even if the sound was off.

[@stephenmerchant9532]

That vintage Flying V bass from his collection though!

[@kitekrazee]

@@johnleurck7139 My favorite bass player. Elton's band was so underrated.

[@alexandrostsipras8787]

In 2023, Tommy still being AMAZING

[@thefriendshipboys]

This might seem weird but I'm 11 right now and I love 70's music. I'm not old enough to watch Tommy yet but I can't wait to see it.

[@seaturtledog]

Quadrophenia the movie should be on your list. To be honest it is a better movie.

[@thefriendshipboys]

@@seaturtledog When do you think it's a good age to watch it?

[@user-lj3tg4nk3e]

I was 8 or 9 when this movie came out. My big brother took me to see it and I turned out fine.

[@jennifersman7990]

There’s plenty out there waiting for you. Oh, and you’ll definitely get a thrill out of Ann-Margret in Tommy

[@timothycollins1968]

seaturtledog…..Tommy was horrible, so overrated, the movie that is. Quad is much better.

[@paulharvey6992]

might be one of the best covers version ever superb

[@nickcox2974]

2023 still love the who pinball Wizard this blown me out then still playing my 1973 pinball today playing these great tracks today 😊

[@MarkHenstridge]

lol, I wagged school when I was 13 to see this when it first came out, now I will be 61 this year. A big Thank You to "The Who" and to "Sir Elton John" for the perfect music/songs

[@toughenupfluffy7294]

Through the magic wand of Elton John, the Who has made Pinball Wizard it's most epic tune.

[@alisonshenton]

TOMMY WAS AND STILL IS A MASTERPIECE OF A FILM LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT THANK TO EVERYBODY WHO MADE IT AMAZING 🥰 RIP KEITH MOON THEY'LL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOU SLEEP WELL 😃 BUT THEN YOU'RE PROBABLY STILL PLAYING THE DRUMS

[@charlesharper2357]

There hasn't been a great Rock Opera in the last 40 years...Sad.

[@dachstatter]

Operation Mindcrime by Queensryche and The Crimson Idol by WASP aren't 40 years old yet.

[@kevanbrown7620]

Elton covered Pinball Wizard and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds in 1975. 2 classic '60s tracks from 2 incredible bands The Beatles and The Who.

[@dianne6155]

yes! i really like his versions of both songs

[@sappygirl1955]

Tommy was the very first rock opera!❤️👍

[@jimdartouzos2127]

Elton seems a little bit taller than I remember him.

[@challenger3614]

I don’t know why 😂

[@solly7]

😅😅😅

[@VinluvAntonHandesbukia]

Forced perspective

[@simoncullum5019]

All the members of The who are very short

[@scootboot8910]

@@VinluvAntonHandesbukia actually no. He really did have very tall boots, and only did the film on the condition that he could keep the boots.

[@loritriba8093]

Happy 54th Birthday, Pinball Wizard!!! LOVE The WHO (Crushing on Roger), they're in my TOP 3 BANDS,...but I gotta say, Elton OWNS this song!!! I knew every word to this movie, back in the day - saw it 4 times in the theatre. *Yes, dating myself here. Rock ON Roger, Pete, and Elton! RIP Keith and John.

[@shack8110]

you are clearly a babe

[@recoveringsoul755]

Such an amazing movie, album and concept, bringing all these musical talents and famous names together. There may never be another like tgis

[@ldchappell1]

I was 17 when "Tommy" made it to the movie screen. It was a double treat for me because I was a fan of Elton John _and_ The Who. I was so hyped I went to The Northpoint Theater in San Francisco three nights in a row. The Northpoint (which closed in 1997) was known for having the smallest movie theater screen in San Francisco.

[@rodterrell304]

Grew up with Elton Johns music but I never watched this-That was tremendous!!!!!

[@BoBo0807]

I was 10 when this came out, I knew this as an Elton song - it was all over the radio that summer - before I'd ever even HEARD of The Who.

[@jennifersman7990]

Same here, Elton’s version was the first one I heard and when I heard The Who’s I was disappointed. It was good, but their’s didn’t have the same dynamic feel as Elton’s

[@Reactiv12]

This song charted no.1 for weeks, and it was never released as a single. It basically sold the album, "Tommy."

[@anon6116]

I was 12, I was traumatized and yet still love the Who.

[@lieutenantmoo334]

I like how they snuck I Can't Explain in there

[@hurricanefury439]

i actually figured out how tommy could play pinball so well because he can only see his reflection he just focuses on his reflection in the pinball so he never lost track of where it was

[@quaylandlavine9527]

Damn 🤯

[@insanezenmistress]

Great now can you postulate who was Tommy singing to at the end...after the disciples left him. When he sings. " Listening to you, I get the rhythm. From you , I get the story . Right behind you, I climb the mountain I get excitement at your feet " That has been puzzling me last few days. And your insight into the pinball reflection was superb.

[@hurricanefury439]

@@insanezenmistress that's something that I'm less sure about. I feel like that part is better left up to interpretation because it could have multiple meanings. If I had to guess I'd say he found god in some form but I'm not sure.

[@insanezenmistress]

@@hurricanefury439 I would concur that as after his false enlightenment he still needed to be seen and heard and healed. There was another water plunge and ..one of the multiple meaning I find is .... He learned that everyone's got a different pinball machine...the whole story of freedom and reality is in all of us. So he was singing to you and me

[@davidhamm5626]

But, he is blind.

[@marcoantoniomoreno3833]

Que saudades!!! nos anos 70 eu era "viciado" em Pinbal! hj tenho 57 anos, e sinto muita saudades! Acredito ser um privilegiado em ter nascido em 1960.

[@iohfs2629]

The pinball at the top of Elton's hat. Yes.

[@robertflowers6621]

Wow, somehow I never noticed that. Thanks!

[@gravityissues5210]

Which became Tommy’s at the end of the scene; guess that beanie is the “pinball crown,” lol. Personally I’d rather have the Docs 🤣

[@richmotroni]

I have seen a ton of musicals but that has to be my all time favorite musical scene in any film. This scene is pure energy, excitement and best of you have Elton John and The Who!

[@juliustherenaissanceman1900]

This is my favorite part of the whole movie. I like this version better than the original version.

[@danallshaw1131]

50 years as a Rock N Roller and I have never seen this, A super treat. Thank You!!!

[@karlsnow5281]

This was a great time to be a teenager

[@okamijubei]

The movie, the music or the pinball before video games?

[@juancatfish1]

One of the most Epic scenes in any Musical.

[@Echnaton1954]

The 70ths music was not political anymore and there was no MTV yet. Everything was just fun and suddenly there were a bunch of all thoset kinds of music changes that developed different kinds of show styles and costumes expressing there own music within something new. It was a time there you still had to watch your icons on stage, to be physically at each concert --- Bob Marley, Kiss. Elton John, Frank Zappa, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, ABBA, Sly & Family Stone, The Queen, U2 etc ---- All those icons got a new image which seemed to be just as important than the music they played --- even the Stones started to change their costumes more colorful and got wilder on stage --- love from Sweden ❤❤❤

[@danielyoung5899]

Watching Rocky Horror picture show was bizarre but Tommy just blew my mind as a teenager

[@willswalkingwest7267]

For a couple of years in the mid 70's Elton was the biggest thing on the radio.

[@ChatGPT1111]

Yep, he sure was in Los Angeles, from about '72 to '76, about half of what KHJ and KKDJ played. I remember the girls at my school were just plain crazy for him, David Bowie and Rod Stewart at that time.

[@gentinmedia]

Thank you for uploading this! What a crazy combo! I always like both of them but never imagined a team up like that, damn costumes are enough already, lmao, I really enjoyed this!

[@Greenlantern957]

“Tommy” a essential watch for any kid getting into classic rock

[@bcb2555]

This IS one of the greatest movie songs ever done this movie has never got the recognition it deserves music has lost the innocence this movie projects

[@thelastperfectman4139]

I always wanted to know about the backstory of the Pinball Wizard. Such a wild character, wish we knew more about him before Tommy defeats him, and what happened to him after. There is a story there for someone to write.

[@sidnew2739]

It's bullshit anyway. On the Album, the Pinball Wizard is Tommy himself, the song' s "narrator" is some kid from the arcades.

[@lazyphair]

I suspect he probably settled down to an obscenely luxurious retirement (and wearing giant bunny slippers) afterward. After all, if a newcomer like Tommy was able to buy fancy yachts and stately manors with his winnings, then Elton the longtime Champ must've surely amassed a GNP-sized fortune during HIS career. (And we all know Professional Pinball was a HUGE sport back in the '70's. :)

[@chrisflaherty8991]

Refugee from Willy Wonka, maybe?

[@Dresdentrumpet]

@@sidnew2739 Some kid who handed his pinball crown to Tommy. So I think he is more than some random kid. So I think it would be a great story of what happened after he handed his pinball crown to Tommy. Every fictional story is bullshit.

[@sidnew2739]

@@Dresdentrumpet Nope, this one is especially stupid. The ORIGINAL Album is dope, though.

[@radiorob7543]

My favourite scene in the movie, followed by Eyesight to the blind.

[@aquaboogiebaby9653]

+Radio Rob Same. Also, EC was so hot in that scene! I'm a straight chick, so it's JMO. Not implying that's why you like it.

[@ivanhenriqueroberto1970]

I like Sally Simpson too

[@darricklucero1161]

Elton, magnificent performance. I know you didn't want to lose

[@peterheinen6110]

I still have some CD-ROM discs. And while the view could stand the time, this sounds AMAZING

[@Mike-fj2ln]

INCREDIBLE watching Tommy play. I was pretty good in my day, but NOTHING like Tommy.

[@kolmst]

What an excellent version of this song!

[@MsKinnara]

The 1st time I ever played Pinball was in a 7-11 in Utah in 1978. My brother wanted to show off to his friends by beating me since he know I had never played pinball before. The machine was the old Pinball Wizard machine and he played 1st, he dropped the quarter in and racked up a pretty high score stating that there was no-way I could beat the score. It was my turn I dropped the quarter in and the music in the 7-11 had just changed and of all the songs to play it was this The Pinball Wizard by Elton John. 5 hours later I was still playing on that 1 quarter with the highest score they had ever seen and reading 99 free game on the 2 digit counter. I looked around after the 5 hours my brother and his friends had long left but the 7-11 was packed with people watching me play. I hadn't even noticed they were there. The sun had gone down so I just left with the machine still able to play the 99 games. The next day I went back and the manager said he had to unplug the machine because it had so many free plays and for some reason wouldn't reset when he pressed the reset button. That was the 1 and only time I've ever played Pinball.

[@robertflowers6621]

Not only an all-time great at Pinball but also at story-telling! 😎

[@RockStar-iz6ub]

70's gave us the best music.

[@trotfi9505]

One of those rare occasions when a great song is outdone by it's cover version.

[@mmasque2052]

Black Magic Woman. (Fleetwood Mac) All Along the Watchtower. (Bob Dylan) Hound Dog (Big Mama Thornton) Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Barry) Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room (Brownsville Station) Cum on, Feel the Noise (also Brownsville Station) Several songs by Carole King before she reclaimed them with “Tapestries” Even Stairway to Heaven ( melody is from a blind harper from 17th/18th century Ireland; Turlough O’Carolan) Covers being more popular than the originals is very common.

[@MDK2_Radio]

This one is not an example of such. This is very close, it’s well done. But Tina Turner’s Acid Queen, on the other hand…

[@justinwakeling2966]

Those boots were so brilliant 😂

[@Albert23456]

I was in Chicago and saw the world premiere in 1975

[@danielyoung5899]

Even the great band the The Who said that Elton John did this song better I agree it somehow had more energy and The Who is one of my favorite bands

[@whiterat1977]

I agree it's miles better than the original

[@johanne628]

I was such a pinball nut in the 70 s I mean I m so lucky to be a teenager in 1976 the late the best era of all!! And disco doesn't t suck!!

[@shadowfilm7980]

Wow. Talk about bringing back memories! I was a sophomore in high school when this movie came out. Went to see it. Liked it. Bought the soundtrack too. Oh the 70’s! I preferred the 80’s myself. Great time for music too!

[@alex35agm]

I saw Tommy in the theater and this was my favorite scene.Elton's version is so much better than The Who's.Besides,love the boots.

[@HWRasmussen]

It took alomst 3 minutes, before Keith Moon and Pete Townshend went into destruction mode.

[@carlabamford9154]

Those two destroyed so many instruments back before they were rich and famous that the band was heavily in debt having to constantly buy new guitars and drum kits! They made only $12K at Woodstock-that didn't even cover it.

[@danielmurphy4429]

I almost never enjoy someone’s ‘cover version more than the original’, only the Beatles and Elton John seem to have a flare to perform it better. Pinball Wizard is easily the best song on the Tommy soundtrack.

[@jonathanhathaway7796]

Hard to argue there. I bought this 8-track tape when it was new, and have always thought this was an incredible version.

[@geraldillo]

'Tommy' is a master piece!

[@itsnotme3882]

I bet wardrobe was relieved when Elton already had the outfit

[@catseye1009]

@It’s not Me: 🤣🤣🤣

[@critter7052]

Tommy = Best Rock soundtrack of the 1970s, thanks for posting.

[@trevorelliston1]

It was an existing musical work turned into a film. One of the most important works in Rock and Roll. Listen to the live at Leeds extended LP when the Who played in live, years before the film was made.

[@firstsergeantcandiobelleus6546]

I saw this when I got back from Saigon. It changed my life.

[@FredHerrman]

I wonder how they decided that Elton John's master pinball machine should be an Art Decco fixture. I really love the organ overlay over the intro. It adds yet another dimension to the tune; sort of imperialistic, and then kind of melacholy once the piano arpeggio starts.

[@arminiusofgermania]

Those are the biggest doc martins I've ever seen. Glorious.

[@VixxKong2]

Shout out to Ken Russell for making this movie. His directing style really gave it lots of energy and colors and weirdness

[@jamesschaidt1096]

Ken Russell is a sick genius...if you haven't seen it, check out Lair Of The White Worm

[@VixxKong2]

@@jamesschaidt1096 Alright, thanks for the recommendation

[@old-manparker6153]

@@jamesschaidt1096 - Dig it! No one could have filmed Tommy better than Ken Russel. It was the perfect project for the perfect director - plus all the perfect performers and music and pieces coming together in an impossibly perfect film. It'll never happen again... Favorite line from "Lair" asked to deadly, sexy, snake-vampire-woman who just moved into the castle: Q: "Do you have children?" A: " Only if there aren't any men around." In the following scenes she proceeds to capture, seduce and devour some Boy Scouts who mistakenly end up at her castle door. "Lair Of The White Worm" was the next great horror novel written by Bram Stoker.

[@Dannysoutherner]

Pinball was illegal in my state when this movie came out. I was fascinated with the machines. When they became legal in Alabama I played them all. My favorite to this day is Power Play, the hockey themed table.

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

He did this so he could keep the boots. I get that Elton likes to wear extravagant stuff, but if I was him I'd want the piano pinball machine.

[@Malkmusianful]

But those Doc Martens, man.

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

@@Malkmusianful that pinball machine man. All you have to do is play a song to play the game I know tons of piano songs. I might tilt by doing Moonlight Sonata.

[@MDK2_Radio]

The moonlight sonata? Well, the last movement perhaps. I’d hate to see what the Rach 3 would do.

[@m3chaw0lf]

According to my mom, he auctioned off the boots for his AIDS charity

[@maryniznik8329]

Back in 1979 my sister and l saw this movie 50 times!! 😅

[@fw1421]

Boy this brings back memories! I was stationed at Lowry AFB in Denver,saw the movie when it first came out,stayed at the same theatre on East Colfax for 6 months!

[@064462]

I was at Chanute when this came out . First time I smelled pot in a military theater ( smoking was legal then ) .

[@kevinknight1924]

Roger Daltry Elton John Tina Turner Oliver Reed , what a great cast. Especially the singers. Who knew then what we know now. Keith Moon and PeteTownsend

[@comettamer]

Good ol' pinball wizard. A friend of mine had an arcade in his town close recently that was called "Pinball Wizard" and him, myself and 2 others harmonized this as tribute.

[@Bluestone524]

Pete writes and plays maybe the greatest rhythm guitar riff of all time in ‘69. Six years later EJ has every Who fan playing air piano.

[@gravattproductions]

saw this at the theatre when i was 9. loved it then - love it now.

[@Starsk25]

Gravatt Entertainment Huh, me too!

[@oklahomawoman446]

That's BECAUSE you were 9. I was 16, and thought it was CRAP. LOL

[@joellewhite912]

Me too - I was 10. Never forgot it

[@stormhawk3319]

Don’t let anyone tell you the 1970s sucked. It was a great fun decade .

[@andaimhineach4131]

I can still remember with decent clarity being taken to this by my older siblings when I was six years old. Threre were some other teenaged kids from my neighborhood (that were around my sibs' ages) there also. I though it was a weird film, but I recall the vibe in the theater, etc.

[@everready19373]

The 70's were so weird. I was born in 62 so I know what I'm talking about.

[@teamridgeback]

ELTON...You Da King baby!!

[@Sierrahtl]

35 years early.. every gamer wants to be this dude

[@philnox7734]

Tommy is one off the lps ever double that is buy one of the best groups ever

[@KF-ee6et]

I saw this movie when it opened at The Ziegfeld Theater in New York 1975.

[@caseyisms]

Woke up trying to find Tina Turner as the Acid Queen but I love this song too lol

[@bensongoh5470]

As a teenager then, I always visualize that if I played to the highest score in the pinball machine, it will trigger this song!