Capt. Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy
Machine Details
Manufacturer

Bally
Year
1976
Technology Era
Electro-Mechanical (EM)
Machine Description
Capt. Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy stands as one of the most successful and iconic pinball machines of the 1970s. The machine was directly inspired by Elton John's 1975 album of the same name and captured the flamboyant spirit of the musician's persona during his commercial peak.
Designed by Greg Kmiec with art by Dave Christensen, the machine featured elaborate artwork depicting Elton John in his signature outlandish costumes, including his famous "Pinball Wizard" outfit from Tommy. The playfield incorporated multiple musical themes and visual elements from Elton's career, making it one of the first pinball machines to fully embrace celebrity licensing in its design. The backglass artwork, in particular, became iconic for its detailed portrayal of Elton in his Captain Fantastic persona.