It seems like anything at all to do with The War of the Worlds cannot go wrong. The superlatives stemming from the original album just go on and on. Released in 1978, it charted in 22 countries and hit the top of the charts in 11 of them. It has just gone 14 times platinum in Australia and in total has sold in excess of 15 million copies - that's more than most bands sell in a career, never mind just one album

Following years of planning, the genius behind the album, Jeff Wayne managed to stage a live version that toured in 2006. Again the superlatives flowed - sell out shows absolutely everywhere, and then they released the DVD of the live show.

Of course it helped that for the live version, Jeff managed to pull together quite a few of the artists involved with the original recording, such as Herbie Flowers on bass and Chris Spedding on guitar. Along with his Black Smoke Bans and the 46 piece ULLAdubULLA strings, he managed to faithfully recreate the sound of the album. Chris Thompson came in as vocalist to reprise his rendition of Thunderchild and Justin Hayward joined the cast as The sung thoughts of the journalist. This included the song Forever Autumn'. However, since the original album was released, the man who took the part of Parson Nathaniel -Phil Lynott -had died, and David Essex and Julie Covington also couldn't join in (their parts were taken by Russell Watson, Alexis James and Tara Blaise).

The plan was to take the live show around the world and then concentrate on a CGI version of the film. This had already been put back as much of the CGI work was used in the mind-blowing animations on the backdrop on the live show. BUT, they reckoned without the impact the live show made and once again the show is touring the UK.

One of the main problems in recreating the album was the pivotal role of The Journalist. Who on Earth could take on the role that Richard Burton made his own? The answer was no-one. So what they did was build a head onto which was projected a facsimile of Burton's head. Also of particular note was the Martian Fighting Machine that towered 10 metres above the stage. Nobody who saw that imposing monster is ever likely to forget it.

One or two changes in the cast this year include the Parson Nathaniel and his wife Beth. Due to the illness to Russell Watson, ex-Asia vocalist John Payne has come in, and ex-Fame Academy Sinead Quinn is Beth. The other roles are as before with Alexis James reprising his acclaimed performance as the Artilleryman and Moody Blues singer Justin Hayward - one of the most recognisable voices in music - returns.

Strangely enough, Justin wasn't sure about getting involved with the original album, as he explained to me recently. "Jeff rang the Moody Blues' office and wanted to send a demo of the song Forever Autumn' to whoever had sung Nights in White Satin'. I listened to the demo and wasn't really sure about doing it as I don't really do other peoples' material, but I liked it. I also asked around and did some research into Jeff and eventually decided to meet him. I went to the Advision Studios only to find that Jeff had meticulously prepared everything. The ambience and everything. He explained his concept of the album and I was very impressed and did the song. It was an enjoyable session and he asked me to get more involved so I ended up doing The Eve of the War' as well. I admired Jeff's drive and the album is an expression of his own commitment."

But even after the album came out, Justin still had his doubts. "That's right, and the reason was that at that time there were a lot of concept albums around and I wasn't sure if it would work. After all, it had been ten years since we in The Moodies had done ours (Days Of Future Passed'). I couldn't work out who the audience for the album would be, and apparently it was bought by a lot of guys interested in Sci-Fi. It was much later when someone said that the song Forever Autumn' had made the album more accessible."

The song Forever Autumn' comes at a pivotal time in the story. It's a very emotive song and I wondered whether Justin felt that when he sang it. "Oh very much so. When I started to sing it I was able to identify with it. It's very evocative and honest, and it's a type of song that's difficult to write. But because I identify with it I can sing it with sincerity."

Then the song became a hit in its' own right. "Yes, it was about a year after I'd recorded it and a promo guy from CBS rang up and told me that it was going to go into the charts the next week and would I go on Top of the Pops and do it. Of course I said yes' straight away."

Years went by and Jeff approached Justin about doing the song live on stage as part of the show. What did Justin think after all that time? "I was on board right from the beginning lending my enthusiasm and support. I knew it would take a huge effort to pull it off, but I also knew that if anyone could do it Jeff could. I don't think that it would have hurt the show if I hadn't taken part. Forever Autumn' is a great song and it wouldn't have needed me. But having said that, I was and am very pleased to do it."

Having seen the show last year, it all looks very slick. Justin laughed, "Don't you believe it. It's mad backstage. Just before Forever Autumn', all Hell breaks loose. What with the Martians and the Fighting Machine firing its' Heat Ray. I have to be ready to go on about seven minutes before the song starts so that the crew don't have to worry about where I am. Levers and all sorts are in motion and technically it's the crucial bit of the show."

Impossible as it may seem, the production team have actually made some improvements, although how they could improve on perfection is beyond me!

The head of Richard Burton is now in the form of a 3 metre high 3D photo-real hologram, which will be able to 'interact' with the on-stage cast more realistically. "Yes," explained Justin, "The original head has been relegated - although recently in Australia it was still with us just in case'. The head' is now a hologram on a see-through screen. I don't know exactly how it all works, but it's definitely different." And the Martian Fighting Machine - as well as scanning them, will fire it's deadly' Heat Ray at the audience. Don't worry though, the only thing that'll be burned is the memory of the show into your brain. As well as all that, there will be new effects and Surround Sound.

The man behind THAT voice concluded, "I'm very pleased with the show and I want it to work mainly for Jeff Wayne because he's put so much effort into it. I hope it goes on working, maybe without me in the future and I reckon it could even work without Jeff!"

Another memorable night is in store as the Martians attack again. Will mankind triumph or will we be overrun?

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds - Live 2007, will be at the Manchester Evening News Arena on Sunday December. Tickets are £39.50 available at the Box Office on 0870 190 8000, or 0870 400 0688. Or online from www.thewaroftheworlds.com , www.LiveNation.co.uk or www.ticketrush.co.uk .