Universal Preservation Hall reopening with rock-themed pinball exhibit
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Universal Preservation Hall is reopening to the public with a rock-themed pinball exhibit, inviting patrons to play their way through more than 50 years of history and become a pinball wizard.
The local Proctors Collaborative venue, which opened to the public briefly before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, will open back up later this month by presenting a special exhibit from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland
Titled Part of the Machine: Rock & Pinball, this interactive exhibit showcases rock-themed, playable pinball machines and combines them with merchandise and artifacts to explore the artistic portrayal of artists and bands.
“Rock and roll and pinball have a lot in common. Loud, colorful and rebellious, it was inevitable that the two would combine to celebrate rock’s icons,” Karen Herman, vice president of collections and curatorial affairs at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, said in a press release. “A number of artists and bands have been immortalized in pinball games. It gives fans another way to experience the energy and power of rock and uniquely connect with their favorite artists.”
Pinball was banned until the mid-1970s in most of America’s big cities because it was considered a form of gambling. It eventually became a symbol of youth and rebellion, right along with rock & roll. By 1969, pinball and rock became inextricably linked, thanks to the Who and the group’s opus Tommy, which highlighted the skills of the rock opera’s lead character.
On display, along with the classic “Wizard” and “Tommy” pinball machines, is Pete Townshend of the Who’s acoustic guitar used to compose “Pinball Wizard” and several other songs from Tommy.
Making its debut as part of the exhibit is Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and shock rock pioneer Alice Cooper’s newest pinball machine – Alice Cooper’s Nightmare Castle. The classic horror adventure game is narrated by Cooper himself and features a number of songs spanning Cooper’s career and a working guillotine set piece.
Cooper’s stage shows are always theatrical, notoriously employing outrageous stage props including nooses and guillotines. An electric chair stage prop that Cooper used in his 1971 tour across North America and Europe is on display in the exhibit.
Fans can also view pioneering pinball machines of their favorite musicians such as Captain Fantastic (1976), based on the album by Elton John and his character in Tommy, and Beat Time (1967), one of the oldest rock and roll tables, which capitalizes on Beatlemania, featuring several mop-topped musicians and a drumhead emblazoned with “The Bootles.”
Other rare and sought-after playable machines in the exhibit pay tribute to the Rolling Stones, Dolly Parton, Guns N’ Roses, Elvis, Metallica, KISS and AC/DC. From Peter Criss of KISS’ drum set to Dolly Parton’s dress that inspired the backglass for the DollyParton pinball machine, fans will find other artifacts on display as they learn more about the popular pinball and rock subculture.
Hosting the exhibition at Universal Preservation Hall has been in the works more than a year as the Spa City venue sought to develop programming that complimented - rather than competed - with the area’s live entertainment scene in the summer.
“It wasn’t clear when COVID-19 came along that we could hold the event but now that museums are reopening in the state we are proceeding with our plans,” Universal Preservation Hall’s director Teddy Foster said in the release.
Universal Preservation Hall will follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention and New York state safety guidelines in establishing safety protocol for exhibit visitors. Each visitor, staff person and volunteer will be required to bring and wear a face mask and to wear provided gloves while playing the pinball machines. All individuals will also be required to maintain proper social distancing.
Staff will also take and record each individual’s temperature and procure proper tracing information, and sanitize all surfaces including handrails, light switches, elevators, exhibit pieces, restrooms and common surfaces before new groups are admitted.
Capacity will be initially limited to 20 guests per time slot and will be re-evaluated regularly.
The exhibit will open on Sunday, July 26 for a twomonth run concluding on Saturday, Sept. 26. Tickets will be sold for 90-minute blocks throughout this time period. The exhibit will be available for admittance at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day and hours will be extended to include 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. admittance on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Universal Preservation Hall is located at 25 Washington St. in Saratoga Springs.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are available now at universalpreservationhall.org.