Interview with Michael Shalhoub about the newest Pinball Compendium

After reading the news about the new Pinball Compendium member in the series I had some questions that I really needed to ask and contacted the writer of these marvelous books, Michael Shalhoub.

Michael lives Down Under in Australia and truly has a hart for pinball.

He interviewed almost every legend that was still alive when he started writing the first Pinball Compendium. One of them was Ed Krynski, a designer who probably had the most influence on the industry by designing over 250 Gottlieb games.

As a Pinball Compendium fan I was rather sad to see the series coming to an end. But then a new part became available and I bought one right away.

I asked Michael what was the main difference between this book and volume 1 & 2 of the previous ones.

 The reason the book was written was Alvin Gottlieb gave me many rare photos never been seen before. A few I have sent you of his father(David Gottlieb)

and the one of pinball designer Harry Mabs(Harry was the first designer who actually used the flipper on a pinball machine).

I received the photos prior to book three being released and I was going to use them there but they didn't fit with the contents.

Then the idea of a new book was born. One note to Schiffer reduced the book from 320 pages to 280, days before it went to print. All contents stayed the same, just smaller photos.

Could you tell a little bit about this book, are there other people that you've interviewed that didn't make it in the other issues?

 The book covers all the classic games from the 1930's to the 1970's concentrating only on electro-mechanical games. There are many photos of designers as well as collectors from around the world.

There is also a section on rally games and another section on pinballs around the world.

Which designer was the most influential for this book?

 Ed Krynski, I've emailed you a picture from me and him, he influenced me more than anyone else as the majority of games I played growing up were designer by him.

Don't get me wrong, there are many other who influenced me, Wayne Neyens, Alvin Gottlieb, Norm Clark, Steve Kordek, Harvey Heiss, Jim Patla, Greg Kmiec and the list goes on!

Are there more books in the pipeline? I've heard that you're writing a book about the SS games? On what way is that book a change from the 2nd and 3rd volume? Is it going to include the more recent Stern games too?

 Yes, one book on Solid-State classics. I will have better and larger photos and more interviews and of course more up to date photos including all the latest Stern games.

Michael isn't only a writer of pinball books or a repairman of pinball machines. He also wants to keep the games alive, one way is constructing a Pinball Museum together with his friend Alan Tate. I asked Michael how things were coming along.

 Mate this is a huge project we have taken on! The land has been purchased so far, around 200 games have been restored and another 1800 to go. Hopefully work on the building will commence this year.

The top right picture shows Alan Tate together with Steve Kordek.

I would like to thank Michael Shalhoub for his time to take this short interview!

Up to the next Pinball Compendium! ;-)