Elton John Slot Machines
The musician known as Elton John has been delighting audiences since the 1960s, and his string of hits have made him one of the best-selling artists of all time. Now, thanks to the designers atWMS, you can experience life through the distinctive sunglasses of this musical prodigy on a 40-payline slot. The game is known as the Elton John Slot Machine, and it’s loaded with big wins, realconcert footage, and plenty of hits from his body of work.
Facts and Trivia about Elton John
If you’re planning on spending any significant amount of time playing the Elton John slot from WMS, then you’ve probably developed an interest in the bespectacled British artist. For those whotake their gaming experience seriously, here are some interesting facts about “Rocket Man” to ponder while you’re spinning the reels.
- Known professionally as Sir Elton Hercules John, the artist was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25th, 1947.
- From 1976 to 1987, and again from 1997 to 2002, John was the owner of the Watford Football Club.
- His first paying gigs came at the age of 15, when he took a job playing piano on the weekends at a local pub.
- One of the best-selling musicians on the planet, Elton has sold more than 300 million albums in his lifetime.
- John’s biological father was a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force. When he learned of his son’s interest in becoming a professional musician, he tried to encourage him to pursue a morestable field such as banking.
- His single “Candle in the Wind 1997,” released after the death of close friend Princess Diana, is the best-selling song in the history of the UK and US charts (with more than 33 million unitssold).
- Openly gay since 1988 and a champion of the LGBT movement, his Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised more than $200 million.
- Beginning in 1972 with the release of Honky Chateau, John had a streak of seven consecutive #1 albums on the US charts.
- His first experience in a band came in 1962, when he and friends formed a group called Bluesology. They would go on to serve as the backing band for American acts such as Patti LaBelle andthe Isley Brothers.
- His professional moniker “Elton John,” was arrived at by combining the name of Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean with that of English musician Long John Baldry.
- In 1975, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- From 1970 to 1996, he had at least one song in the Top 40 each year.
- In a controversial 1976 interview with Rolling Stone, John announced that he was bisexual.
- He lost his voice while performing in Australia in 1986, and he required surgery to remove several benign polyps from his vocal cords. This permanently altered his singing voice.
- Every year since 2004, the star has opened a store dubbed “Elton’s Closet.” Inside, he offers fans a chance to purchase his used clothing.
- In 1994, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by longtime fan Axl Rose (of Guns ‘N Roses).
- The song “Candle in the Wind 1997” was only performed live at the funeral of Princess Diana.
- In February of 2016, Elton John released his 32nd studio album, Wonderful Crazy Night.
- Elton has collaborated with musician Bernie Taupin since 1967. Taupin writes the lyrics, mails them to John, and then the latter sets them to music. To date, this process has been used onmore than 30 studio albums.
Where to Find the Elton John Slot
In recent years, Elton John has been playing a series of sold-out shows in Las Vegas, so it’s only appropriate that his slot machine would be primarily located in the gambling mecca of the UnitedStates. That’s not the only place it can be found, however, as the popularity of the flamboyant artist is especially strong throughout the U.S. and Europe.
The Asian market is likely to be different, though, as Elton John’s music was never as popular there as in English-speaking parts of the world. So if you’re obsessed with playing this game, Isuggest canceling your upcoming trip to Macau and booking a flight to either Vegas or Atlantic City.
Game Symbols
The folks at WMS have packed this slot with a wide range of virtual symbols. You’ll find some traditional icons here, as well as plenty that are specific to the iconic subject of the game. Here’sa brief taste of what you can expect to encounter:
- Elton John Images
Various images of Elton John throughout the years are featured as game symbols. There’s a recent picture of the singer showing off his memorable smile, but my favorite features the singer ina white suit and fedora (circa his Greatest Hits release in 1974).
- Piano
Elton is known just as much for his piano playing as his singing, so it’s only fitting that such an instrument would be included on the reels.
- Marquee
This is the kind of marquee that you’d see outside a theatre or other venue, and Elton John’s name is plastered across it. The icon also serves as the wild symbol during thegame.
- Poker Symbols
It’s customary for most slots to feature playing card symbols such as the ace, king, queen, and jack, and this game is no exception.
- Album Cover
This game icon features the cover for Elton’s incredible 1973 album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
- Star Sunglasses
Elton has always been known for his outrageous sunglasses, and perhaps the most famous pair includes a glittery star surrounding each lense.
- Gold Record
If this gold record bonus icon turns up simultaneously on reels one, three, and five, then one of the three bonus rounds is activated.
- Walk of Fame
Also serving as a jackpot symbol, this icon refers to Elton’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Bonus Games for Elton John Slot Machine
In addition to the prizes offered on the base game, this slot includes several bonus features that are meant to boost the player’s account. They include the following:
Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting
Two wheels of fortune appear at the top of the screen. While the right wheel starts off empty, the left has a number of wedges that offer spin enhancements, credit awards, or extraspins. The left wheel is spun seven times, and all enhancements earned are transferred to the right wheel. Once all spins on the left wheel have been completed, the player gets a final spinon the right wheel for a chance at some truly major prizes.
I’m Still Standing Bonus
In this feature, a pair of bonus wheels spin to determine the number of free games received by the player. Mystery symbols are then added to the reels, and each of these have thepotential to increase the wins beyond the usual amount.
Rocket Man Bonus
This trippy feature stays in keeping with the title by launching rockets across the screen. As they soar to the accompanying tune, watch them collide with stars and award variouscredit values.
These bonuses can make a major difference in your overall payout, but they’re also perfect for fans of Elton John’s music. That’s because the tune associated with each feature is blastedfrom the speakers located in the game console and chair, and even non-fans are sure to be tapping their feet by the end of the bonus round.
It should also be noted that all bonus games are played out in the top section of the screen, which is designed to give the illusion that the player is looking at the world through a pairof Sir Elton’s crazy sunglasses. This might take a little getting used to, but don’t blame the designers if you start showing up to play wearing a feathered boa or other outrageousattire.
Progressive Jackpot
The wins offered on the main game are nothing to sneeze at, and the bonus round prizes are even better. However, neither of these can compete with the cash rewards paid to those who arelucky enough to hit the game’s wide-area progressive jackpot.
For an example of the kinds of riches that are waiting for players, you need look no further than the Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. On July 25th of this year, aregular at the casino sat down to play the Elton John slot. A short while later, he hit the progressive and received a cash payout of $637,957.71. If he wasn’t before, I’m guessing he’s certainlyan Elton John fan now.
Our Favorite Elton John Songs
Most people who gravitate towards this slot are likely longtime Elton John fans. There are always a few players, however, who’ve never even heard of the British music icon, althoughthey’re often curious to learn more.
For both devotees and first-time listeners, we proudly present this list of our favorite Elton John songs. Fortunately, all of these are available for purchase online via iTunes.
- “Your Song”
Despite being released as the B-side to “Take Me to the Pilot,” this infectious offering managed to surpass the other song and hit the top 10 in both the US and UK markets. It also markedElton’s first hit in an industry where he’d been struggling to find acceptance for years. The rest was history, as the gap-toothed singer would practically rule the charts for the next fiveyears.
- “Tiny Dancer”
Oddly enough, this song didn’t even break into the Top 40 in America. Despite its relative lack of commercial success in the states, it’s often regarded as Sir Elton’s greatest tune. Writtenby Bernie Taupin as an ode to the free-spirited American women he met during his first trip to California in 1970, the piano-based melody has become a permanent fixture on radio stations andduring live performances. It’s inclusion in the 2000 film Almost Famous gave it fresh legs by introducing it to a new generation of music fans.
- “Bennie and the Jets”
The lyrics skewer the music scene of the 1970s while telling the story of a fictional band fronted by an androgynous cypher known as Bennie. While this tune reportedly inspired Axl Rose tobecome a singer, Elton was unconvinced of its mainstream appeal and fought to keep it from becoming a single. He was dead wrong, and the song hit #1 on the U.S. charts and remains a livefavorite to this day.
- “Someone Saved My Life Tonight”
One of the key tracks on the seminal concept album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, this tune details the struggles of Elton and longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin asthey try to find success in the music business. The former was also dealing with the pressures of an upcoming marriage, and issues surrounding his sexuality led to thoughts of suicide. Theonly single released from the album, its 6:45 length marks it as one of the longest in Elton’s storied career.
- “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
The title track from John’s 1973 album, it became one of his biggest hits and is often cited by both fans and critics as among his most notable works. Lyricist Bernie Taupin recalled TheWizard of Oz as the first film he’d ever seen, conjuring up its imagery to relate his desire to get back to a simpler existence. It resonates with listeners from around the world, and iteven inspired a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor in 2008 known as Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road.
- “Rocket Man”
A staple of Elton’s live shows, this pop classic tells the story of an astronaut who misses his family and feels conflicting emotions while on a trip to Mars. It’s a thoughtful glimpse insideone man’s skull, and the conjured feelings of isolation and longing continue to ring true with listeners. The tune managed to crack the top 10 in America and is regularly considered among hismost enduring works.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a game with medium volatility, lots of hit music, and a visual presentation that’ll blow your mind, then I suggest heading down to your local casino and trying the EltonJohn slot machine. It’s just the kind of dazzling head-turner that you’d expect to find at a land-based casino, and it’s only a matter of time before it gets converted into a virtual game for thePC and mobile markets. When that happens, I’ll be sure to let you know.