The Eve Of The War & Forever Autumn Medley

Alright, Zoo Freaks, it’s your hippie DJs from The Zoo Crew, spinning some cosmic vibes on THE ZOO radio station, and we’re diving into the mind-bending sounds of "The Eve Of The War & Forever Autumn Medley" by Jeff Wayne from his epic 1978 album, Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds. This track is a wild ride, blending the pulsing, disco-infused energy of "The Eve of the War" with the haunting, melancholic beauty of "Forever Autumn." Did you know that "Forever Autumn" wasn’t originally written for the album? It started as a jingle for a Lego commercial, sung by Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass, before Jeff Wayne repurposed it to capture the heartache of the Journalist’s lost love, Carrie. Wayne himself said in a 2014 Guardian interview that the song’s theme of loss resonated so deeply with the story that he fought his own doubts to include it, making it one of the album’s standout moments.

Here’s some far-out trivia for you Zoo Freaks: "The Eve of the War" was designed to grab listeners with its infectious groove, and Jeff Wayne intentionally leaned into a disco vibe to make the album entertaining, as he shared in a Wikipedia entry. The track’s iconic “ooll-la” Martian sound? Wayne wanted to use synthesizers to mimic the aliens’ eerie cries, but the tech in the ‘70s was limited, so they had a human voice the sound and tweaked it electronically for that otherworldly effect. Posts on X, like one from @minehead_rebel in April 2025, rave about how this song still powers the live shows, with a real Martian fighting machine on stage and Wayne conducting the ULLAdubULLA orchestra. The medley itself, featuring Richard Burton’s commanding narration, became a fan favorite, with a 1978 release hitting the charts and later remixes by DJs like Todd Terry keeping it fresh for dance floors.

Let’s groove into how Jeff Wayne got his start. Born in New York but raised in the UK, Wayne was steeped in music from childhood, thanks to his father, Jerry Wayne, a singer and actor. By the mid-’60s, he was already composing, scoring his dad’s West End musical Two Cities in 1966, which bagged an award for its lead, Edward Woodward. Wayne’s bio on his official website highlights his early hustle as a record producer, working with David Essex on the album Rock On. That connection paid off when Essex joined The War of The Worlds as the Artilleryman. Wayne also penned over 3,000 ad jingles in the ‘70s, including one for Gordon’s Gin that The Human League later covered. His knack for blending orchestral grandeur with rock and pop sensibilities led to the creation of The War of The Worlds, a project that took years to realize but became a global phenomenon, selling millions and earning two Ivor Novello Awards.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Jeff Wayne and his Martian invasion on his official website, where you’ll find tour dates and merch for The War of The Worlds. Connect with him on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes looks at his live shows and remixes. Over on X, fans share their love for the album and its epic stage productions. For those craving more, check out the official War of The Worlds site, packed with history and updates on the immersive experience in London. Fan communities are thriving too—join the Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds Facebook group to vibe with fellow freaks who can’t get enough of this sci-fi masterpiece. Now, let’s crank up the volume and let those Martian vibes take us to another world!