EP36: Jeff Wayne

Electronically Yours with Martyn Ware

Today’s special guest on Electronically Yours with Martyn Ware is the legendary composer, producer and lyricist Jeff Wayne. In 1978, he released Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, his musical adaptation of H. G. Wells' science-fiction novel The War of the Worlds, which went on to become a much-loved theatrical science fiction extravaganza, touring the world for decades. Wayne wrote approximately 3,000 advertising jingles in the 1970s which appeared on television in the United Kingdom, notably a Gordon's Gin commercial which was covered by Martyn in The Human League.

His film, advertising and TV compositional work is still in demand almost 50 years later. He has also created a version of Spartacus for the stage, and he continues to push entertainment boundaries with versions of his work as computer games and most recently as immersive theatre and virtual reality.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Martians are coming! Send for Jeff Wayne…