For nearly five decades, Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds has remained a monumental achievement in musical storytelling—an audacious fusion of orchestral grandeur, genre-bending music, and literary drama. Now, 50 years since Jeff Wayne and his father bought the rights from Frank Wells, HG’s son (allowing him to realise the written novel in musical form), Madfish presents two extraordinary 2025 collector’s editions – The Deluxe Collectors’ Edition & The Ultimate Collectors’ Edition.
Meticulously crafted with the full cooperation of Jeff Wayne, these boxsets contain 16 CDs, 2 Blu-rays and a plethora of collectible content. This CD announcement ramps up The War of The Worlds fever as Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds ‘The Spirit of Man’ tour sees sell-out shows across the UK until Easter Sunday 2025 before moving on to Europe; and hot-footing the re-charting of The War of The Worlds remix album last Autumn.
Jeff Wayne comments, “It’s 50 years since Frank Wells, the son of HG Wells, entrusted my father and I, by selling us the rights to what became my Musical Version of The War of The Worlds. I guess it’s fair to say that no one would have believed that my original double album would have sold over 16 million copies globally, with various multi-media projects and renditions, including arena tours since 2006 which are still touring across the UK & Europe today. The chances of that success felt like a million to one, but now, almost 50 years, on I’m celebrating with the release of The Deluxe Collectors’ Edition and Ultimate Collectors’ Edition box sets. I hope you enjoy it as much as I and the team at Madfish have enjoyed creating it."
In addition to this extensive collection, The Ultimate Collectors’ Edition also includes a beautifully reproduced and highly collectible manuscript sheet from Jeff Wayne’s personal archives, individually signed by the composer himself, alongside 2 double LPs pressed on gold vinyl and blue vinyl.
These exquisite new 2025 editions chronicle every stage of the double album’s evolution, from its landmark 1978 debut to spectacular live performances, bold re-imaginings, and archival treasures. Relive the gravitas of Richard Burton’s narration, the seismic intensity of the Martian invasion, and the powerful performances of both the original album and 2012’s The New Generation, featuring the talents of Liam Neeson, Ricky Wilson, Gary Barlow, Jason Donovan, Joss Stone, Maverick Sabre and more.
INCLUDED IN THE DELUXE COLLECTORS’ EDITION:
156-Page Hardback Book – Featuring a comprehensive new essay by acclaimed author Peter Doggett, stunning reimagined artwork, and an in-depth look at a treasure trove of rare memorabilia.
24-Page Jerry Wayne Book – A book on the background and influence of Jeff’s father, Jerry, who before becoming Exec Producer of The War of The Worlds, was an entertainer and No.1 recording artist in the US with a fascinating history.
12-Page Script Book – A faithful reproduction of the original script - a unique glimpse into the musical’s narrative and dramatic construction.
Detailed Story Map – A beautifully designed visual representation of The War of The Worlds storyline, charting the Martian invasion and human struggle for survival.
Two Exclusive Art Prints – High-quality prints featuring newly commissioned artwork.
Certificate of Authenticity – Officially verifying this as an authentic edition.
As well as everything in The Deluxe Collectors’ Edition, The Ultimate Collectors’ Edition also includes:
Manuscript Sheet Individually Signed by Jeff Wayne – A rare and highly collectible piece of The War of The Worlds history. Each edition includes a beautifully reproduced manuscript sheet from Jeff Wayne’s personal archives, featuring a segment of his original musical score, hand-signed by the composer himself.
Blue Vinyl 2LP Gatefold Edition of The Original Album – Housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve, this collectors’ blue vinyl 2LP edition faithfully presents the classic recording with a rich, immersive analog sound—bringing the heat of battle and the chilling presence of the Martians to life like never before.
Gold Vinyl 2LP Gatefold Edition of The New Generation – Jeff Wayne’s 2012 reimagining of The War of The Worlds—featuring a new generation of performers—gets a spectacular gold vinyl treatment. Encased in a premium gatefold sleeve, this edition captures the evolution of the musical phenomenon with breathtaking clarity and warmth.
