Episode 68 - Band Pins
Podcast
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast
1 hr 10 min
Summary
History and analysis of band-themed pinball machines from 1975 to modern era.
Wedgehead Pinball Podcast explores the history and evolution of band-themed pinball machines, tracing their development from the 1970s (Captain Fantastic, Kiss, Dolly Parton) through the modern era (Elvis, Guns N' Roses). The hosts discuss licensing challenges, the 14-year gap in band pin releases during the 1980s, and advocate for contemporary artists like Taylor Swift to receive pinball machines.
Highlights
- Captain Fantastic (1976) by Bally was the best-selling EM pinball game of all time with almost 17,000 units
- There were 14 years between Rolling Stones (1980) and the next licensed music pinball game (The Who's Tommy in 1994)
- Dolly Parton (1979) remains the only female musician with her own dedicated pinball machine
- Data East Guns N' Roses (1994) was the first game to feature an exclusive never-before-released song ('Ain't Going Down') that only appeared on the pinball machine
- Gottlieb designed a Brooks and Dunn pinball game in the mid-1990s but never released it due to company liquidation
- Slash (Guns N' Roses guitarist) received co-design credit on the Data East Guns N' Roses pinball game
- Data East Guns N' Roses was the first production pinball game to come with a headphone jack in the cabinet
- Elvis (2004) marks the beginning of choosing band/musicians from earlier generations rather than contemporary artists
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