Post by jeffwaynefan on May 16, 2005 17:03:54 GMT
Jeff Wayne Visits Leeds University Thursday 19th May
IT HAS gone down in history as one of the last great concept albums.
Now, almost 30 years after recording his musical version of The War of the Worlds, Jeff Wayne is relaunching his masterpiece during a one-off visit to Leeds next week.
The man who brought us Horsell Common and the Heat Ray and Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine will be taking part in an interview with Leeds University's music expert Simon Warner and unveiling original artwork from the album, which first topped the charts in 1978.
The visit comes weeks before the release of the expected movie blockbuster this summer starring Tom Cruise, based on the HG Wells story that inspired Wayne's double album.
The War of the Worlds was one of the most ambitious concept albums ever devised," said Mr Warner, director of the university's popular music research centre.
"It not only brought together a number of major stars from the dramatic and musical worlds but also won critical and popular acclaim. And the work has never really left the popular imagination, more than a quarter of a century on.
"Wayne's creation will be presented in a live, orchestral form at the Albert Hall in London later in 2005 and with the Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg movie about to emerge this summer, it looks as if interest in these musical and film adaptations of Wells' much-loved story will be intense in the coming months."
During his trip to Leeds University next Thursday, Wayne will present a signed print of artwork from his classic album, which will hang in the foyer of the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall, alongside other signed prints including Sir Peter Blake's cover art of the Beatle's Sgt Pepper album.
First released in June 1978, The War of the Worlds album spent more than 260 consecutive weeks in the UK album charts and sold more than 12.5 million copies worldwide.
Its mix of prog rock and classical influences is narrated by the late Richard Burton and features artists including David Essex, Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues and the late Phil Lynott.
For those who want further details or tickets to the Leeds University event, email Simon Warner at:
music@leeds.ac.uk
ian.rosser@ypn.co.uk
Source: Leeds Today
H_C
IT HAS gone down in history as one of the last great concept albums.
Now, almost 30 years after recording his musical version of The War of the Worlds, Jeff Wayne is relaunching his masterpiece during a one-off visit to Leeds next week.
The man who brought us Horsell Common and the Heat Ray and Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine will be taking part in an interview with Leeds University's music expert Simon Warner and unveiling original artwork from the album, which first topped the charts in 1978.
The visit comes weeks before the release of the expected movie blockbuster this summer starring Tom Cruise, based on the HG Wells story that inspired Wayne's double album.
The War of the Worlds was one of the most ambitious concept albums ever devised," said Mr Warner, director of the university's popular music research centre.
"It not only brought together a number of major stars from the dramatic and musical worlds but also won critical and popular acclaim. And the work has never really left the popular imagination, more than a quarter of a century on.
"Wayne's creation will be presented in a live, orchestral form at the Albert Hall in London later in 2005 and with the Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg movie about to emerge this summer, it looks as if interest in these musical and film adaptations of Wells' much-loved story will be intense in the coming months."
During his trip to Leeds University next Thursday, Wayne will present a signed print of artwork from his classic album, which will hang in the foyer of the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall, alongside other signed prints including Sir Peter Blake's cover art of the Beatle's Sgt Pepper album.
First released in June 1978, The War of the Worlds album spent more than 260 consecutive weeks in the UK album charts and sold more than 12.5 million copies worldwide.
Its mix of prog rock and classical influences is narrated by the late Richard Burton and features artists including David Essex, Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues and the late Phil Lynott.
For those who want further details or tickets to the Leeds University event, email Simon Warner at:
music@leeds.ac.uk
ian.rosser@ypn.co.uk
Source: Leeds Today
H_C