A new petition calls on the BBC to recognise and celebrate the compositional talents of Keith Emerson
The Emerson Lake & Palmer Appreciation Group has launched a petition urging the BBC to give greater recognition to the musical and compositional legacy of the late keyboardist Keith Emerson. The petition asks for significantly increased programming, performances, documentary coverage and inclusion within the 2027 and 2028 BBC Proms seasons, framing progressive rock and crossover composition as a legitimate part of Britain's modern musical heritage.
The campaign comes ahead of the inaugural prog prom, Prog Rock: A Fanfare for the Common Man, taking place at the Royal Albert Hall on 18 July and hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music's Stuart Maconie. That event features Carl Palmer, the last surviving ELP member, alongside Peter Hammill, Guy Garvey, Jane Weaver and Gruff Rhys. Specifically, the petition calls on the BBC to increase airplay of Emerson's work on Radio 3, commission new BBC Four documentaries, and include his compositions in the Proms — noting that 2027 marks the 50th anniversary of his Concerto Number 1, recorded in 1976 and released on ELP's Works Volume 1.
- Fans petition the BBC to celebrate Keith Emerson's compositional legacy.
- Demands include Radio 3 airplay, documentaries and Proms inclusion for 2027/2028.
- Follows the first prog prom at the Royal Albert Hall on 18 July.