Jeff Wayne

Jeff Wayne is an American-born composer, producer and musician who has spent most of his career based in the United Kingdom. He is best known for creating «Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds», a 1978 concept album based on H.G. Wells's novel, which blends orchestral rock, narration and progressive-rock instrumentation.

The album, featuring tracks like «The Eve of the War», «Forever Autumn» and «Thunder Child», became a massive and enduring success in the UK, spawning a long-running stage adaptation with elaborate holographic effects. Its blend of dramatic narration, sweeping strings, synthesizers and rock arrangements made it a landmark of narrative concept albums.

Wayne's work sits at the crossroads of orchestral pop, progressive and electronic rock, and musical theatre. Before the album's success he built a career composing for television and advertising. He remains closely identified with this single, sprawling work, which continues to be re-staged and reissued decades after its release.