Brave New Worlds

Nearly half a century after Jeff Wayne took a leap of faith with his Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds, the US composer and lyricist returns to his best-known work with some deluxe new collectors' box sets. Prog catches up with him to discuss grand reimaginings, almost working with Peter Gabriel, and how AI could shape his future tours.

- Words: Rob Hughes

You've surely made it when NASA names an asteroid after you.

For Jeff Wayne, such a celestial christening took him by surprise this January.

"I have a fan - Simon Lowery - who works for the European Organisation for Astronomical Research," he explains.

"He's been a believer in my musical version of The War Of The Worlds for so many years, and he deals with all the other space agencies, including NASA.

So, I'm working away in my studio and get this email from him. The subject was: 'You won't believe this..."" At Lowery's instigation, NASA had officially approved the allocation of an asteroid to Wayne.

"I wasn't even sure how to react to it: I was gobsmacked. I now have several images of my asteroid [55863 Jeff Wayne, discovered in 1997] in its orbit, and one of them is when it's closest to Mars.

My family take great delight in taking the mickey out of me because of it." The whole episode is testament to the enduring power of The War Of The Worlds, Wayne's musical adaptation of HG Wells' 19th-century sci-fi novel that pits humankind against malevolent invaders from Mars. First issued as a double album in 1978, it's since gone on to sell more than 16 million copies worldwide. Nor has it stood still.

There have been reimaginings (2012's The New Generation), West End spectaculars, videogames, global arena tours and an Immersive Experience, featuring holograms, virtual reality, 3D sound and live actors. Originally intended to run in London for three months, the production is now deep into its sixth year.