Emerson, Lake & Palmer, better known as ELP, one of the seminal bands of the progressive rock era, have signed their catalog to BMG.
The ELP deal includes rights to at least 17 albums by the supergroup, including the trailblazing debut album Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970), Tarkus (1971) and probably their best known album Brain Salad Surgery. It brings together rights previously split between North America and Europe, with BMG now holding rights for the World excluding South East Asia.
BMG promises a significant reissue campaign, with BMG gaining access to the prized ELP archive including original master tapes, demos, alternate versions, radio sessions, videos, rare photos / memorabilia and bootlegs, from the influential musicians.
ELP were formed in 1970 by charismatic keyboard player Keith Emerson (formerly of The Nice), vocalist and guitarist Greg Lake (formerly of King Crimson) and drummer/percussionist Carl Palmer (formerly of Atomic Rooster). The group combined jazz and classical music with rock. By 1974 they were as big as Led Zeppelin as a live draw.