The first time I saw War of the Worlds, the classic 1953 version, it was the second half of a drive-in double feature that my parents had taken me too when I was maybe 7 or 8. I have no idea what the first movie was because War of the Worlds blew that right out of my mind. I was completely gripped by it and pretty much have been ever since.

Being a very impressionable kid, that movie was just the kind of thing to get into my brain and really bother me. Right outside my bedroom window the streetlight looked exactly like the head of one on of the Martian's machines to me and it was years before I could sleep with the curtain open. If I couldn't see the Martian, hey, it couldn't see me!

But it was the start of a bit of an obsession, one shared by millions. H.G. Wells' classic story has been adapted often. There's the Orson Welles' radio play, the original George Pal movie, the Spielberg movie, at least two other movies I've seen as well, and then there was a tv series and a progressive rock musical album (and three different video games based upon the album).

My favorite version of War of the Worlds is in fact the progressive rock album, the Jeff Wayne Musical of War of the Worlds, featuring Richard Burton doing the narration. It is a fantastic piece of progressive rock and I think one of the best concept albums ever conceived. I listen to it a LOT. :)

This is the opening number of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds Musical. I just love Richard Burton's narration. It's so chilling. And the opening music sets the stage for what's to come.

Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues plays the singing voice of the narrator (The Journalist) and other famous cast members on the album are Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy, David Essex and Julie Covington and Chris Thompson.

There has been talk for years of adapting Jeff Wayne's musical version of War of the Worlds into an animated movie and there is tons of concept art for it online, but I have no idea if or when we will ever actually see a completed film.

In the meantime, however, Jeff Wayne produced a live performance of the album which he has toured with, joined by some original cast members, including Justin Hayward. You can find tour dates for the show on the official website.

Included here is a clip of the song Thunderchild performed at the live stage show by Chris Thompson (the voice of humanity) and Justin Hayward's performance of Forever Autumn during the 2006 tour. (Actually, if you want to watch them in the correct order, watch Forever Autumn first, then Thunderchild.)