Elton John: 10 Best Classic Rock Songs
5. Pinball Wizard
The 1975 film version of The Who’s concept album Tommy had a pretty starry cast. Aside from The Who themselves, there were appearances from Tina Turner, Jack Nicholson and more.
Still, for all the film’s star power, Elton John’s turn as the Pinball Wizard stands out as a highlight. He towers, literally, above his cast mates in seven foot high platform Dr Martens. In fact it’s rumoured Elton only took the role on the condition that he could keep those boots after filming.
Elton’s cover of Pinball Wizard is just as triumphant as his film cameo. Naturally, on Elton’s version of the track piano replaces acoustic guitar as the central instrument.
Unlike much of Tommy’s soundtrack, The Who don’t appear on this song despite reluctantly agreeing to mime behind Elton in the movie. Instead John used his own band and regular producer Gus Dudgeon.
Despite The Who’s heavy rocking reputation, John’s propulsive glam rock arrangement is heavier than the original and incorporates elements of earlier Who single I Can’t Explain to thrilling effect