Music Man

The Music Man pinball machine, designed by Harry Mabs and manufactured by Williams Electronic Manufacturing Corporation in 1960, is a notable electromechanical (EM) game featuring four flippers, an uncommon configuration for its time. With five balls per play, players navigate a playfield of marching bands, parades, and music-inspired targets to accumulate points.

What makes Music Man notable is its gameplay feature set. The addition of slingshots and kick-out holes added an extra layer of complexity and strategy to the game, while the dual outlanes on both sides of the playfield allowed for varied ball drainage risk. The machine's "Styling of the 60s" cabinet design, featuring anodized aluminum trim and tapered chromium steel legs, was a departure from earlier cabinet styles and reflected the shifting aesthetic of the era.

The Music Man is also notable for its playfield artwork by George Molentin, depicting marching bands and musical instruments that set the tone for the game's theme. Williams used this same cabinet design on several games during 1960-1961, making the Music Man part of a broader trend in the company's design language at the time. With its four-flipper layout and colorful theme, the Music Man remains an interesting example of early-1960s EM design.