Brand new versions of Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War Of The Worlds seminal single Forever Autumn are released on a new EP ahead of the show’s UK tour.
“Forever Autumn” is released today as a brand new digital EP, breathing new life into the iconic song ahead of the new arena tour of Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War Of The Worlds. Tour schedule here.
Taken from Jeff Wayne’s hugely successful double album, “Forever Autumn” was originally a Top 5 single in the UK, reaching silver status. The song entered the charts with vocals by The Moody Blues lead vocalist, Justin Hayward.
This new EP features 3 different versions of the track. Track 1 uses Justin’soriginal vocal, with the instrumentation and production adapted from the 2012 New Generation version of ‘Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds’ (which itself is certified Gold in the UK)
Track 2 is the main single from the EP, presenting the track in duet form, which was heard for the first time in the ‘Alive On Stage’ 2018 Tour. This duet features Justin’s iconic vocal, paired with that of Anna-Marie Wayne, who appears again as Carrie, The Journalist’s Fiancé in the upcoming ‘Life Begins Again’ Tour. Track 3 is the beloved original 1978 version of the song, newly remastered.
Anna-Marie Wayne is thrilled to be appearing on this version of the track: “Forever Autumn has always been such a special song for me, as I know it is for many, and I am truly honoured to be part of my father Jeff Wayne’s new incarnation of it alongside the incomparable Justin Hayward.”
Jeff Wayne adds: “Forever Autumn has a special place in my heart – beginning in 1978 when it was released as the first single from my musical version of The War of The Worlds and watching it become a major international hit. But, for me, it’s specialness is due to the song itself, especially the lyrics by Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass which are about someone you have loved and lost, something we can all relate to. Then over the years seeing it step outside the story of The War of The Worlds and connected with so many in various ways.
When you reach the ‘hook line’ ‘cause you’re not here’, anyone can understand that feeling.
In 2018’s arena tour I added a duet of Forever Autumn, that appears early in Act Two – performed by The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist and his fiancée Carrie, who have been separated by two countries, England and France, and they don’t know if they will ever be together again.
Now in 2022, the release of ‘Forever Autumn: Now, Then & Always’ is a new recording of that Duet, performed by Justin and Anna-Marie, as well as a new solo version by Justin Hayward that sounds fresh for today’s world, without losing the history of how Forever Autumn first began.”
Justin Hayward also has very fond memories of the song and its importance to fans of the musical: “Wherever I go in the world and play Forever Autumn people seem to know it, and love it. It’s timeless.”
Justin Hayward and Anna Marie-Wayne also star in Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of ‘The War of The Worlds’ – Alive on Stage! which returns to UK arenas from March. The show features a stellar cast with Strictly Come Dancing and Stage star Kevin Clifton as The Artilleryman, Blue’s Duncan James as Parson Nathaniel, Steps’ and stage star Claire Richards as Beth, The Parson’s Wife, and Inglorious’ front man Nathan James as The Voice of Humanity. Anna-Marie returns as Carrie, The Journalist’s Fiancée and Justin Hayward reprises his original role as The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist. Liam Neeson retains his role in 3D holography as The Journalist while Jeff Wayne again conducts the 8-piece Black Smoke Band and symphonic ULLAdubULLA Strings.
The Forever Autumn EP is available here.
