Renowned prog rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer – better known as ELP – have signed their 40-million-album-selling catalogue to BMG.
The ELP deal includes rights to at least 17 albums by the group, including the Top 5 debut album Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970), UK Number 1 Tarkus (1971) and probably their best known album Brain Salad Surgery, which reached Number 2 in 1973.
It brings together rights previously split between North America and Europe, with BMG now holding rights for the World excluding South East Asia.
It is the biggest new catalogue deal to be struck at BMG so far by worldwide Head of Catalogue Peter Stack, founder of respected catalogue company Union Square Music ,acquired by BMG in 2014,.
BMG has promised an extensive reissue campaign, having gained access to the ELP archive including original master tapes, demos, alternate versions, radio sessions, videos, rare photos / memorabilia and bootlegs.
Peter Stack, BMG Executive Vice-President Global Catalogue Recordings said: “ELP have created an extraordinary body of work which helped to define progressive rock, and we are delighted that they have placed their faith in BMG.
“We will give this catalogue the respect it truly deserves and can promise some exciting times ahead for both existing and future fans of Emerson, Lake and Palmer.”
ELP manager Stewart Young said: “ELP and myself are looking forward to the opportunity of working with BMG. This agreement brings our catalogue under one roof for the first time for the world outside South East Asia.
“BMG shares our belief that these works should be treated with the upmost respect, with reissues which offer the kind of quality that our fans deserve.”Music Business Worldwide
