The Best Moments From 40 Years of American Music Awards
Dick Clark created the American Music Awards in 1973 as a populist response to the Grammys. While other awards are decided by an organization of music industry employees, the AMAs were designed to reflect the preferences of the music-buying public.
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1974
Fellow teen idols Michael Jackson and Donny Osmond shared the hosting duties at the 1974 American Music Awards.
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1974
Soul legend Al Green was at the top of his game at this American Music Awards telecast.
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1975
Michael Jackson — and his massive Afro — appeared with 12-year-old sister Janet.
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1977
Who drummer Keith Moon and his girlfriend, Annette Walter-Lax, at the American Music Awards in 1977.
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1978
1978 was a big year at the American Music Awards for Fleetwood Mac, who took home multiple awards.
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1981
Chuck Berry receives the American Music Awards Award of Merit on January 30th, 1981.
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1983
Aretha Franklin takes her heels off as she poses for photographers at the 10th Annual American Music Awards on January 17th, 1983.
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1983
Prince performs "Solid Gold" at the 1983 American Music Awards.
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1983
Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood get cozy at the 10th Annual American Music Awards on January 17th, 1983.
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1984
In the wake of Thriller's record-breaking success, Michael Jackson (pictured here with friend Brooke Shields) won the Award of Merit along with seven other trophies.
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1985
Cyndi Lauper poses with her awards at the 12th Annual American Music Awards on January 28th, 1985.
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1985
In the middle of the Purple Rain tour, Prince — seen here outside the venue under heavy escort — won three awards for the album.
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1989
Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy onstage during the 16th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles on January 9th, 1989.
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1990
Guns N' Roses won two awards in the heavy metal category, but got more headlines for a curse-filled acceptance speech.
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1991
How times have changed: Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer dominated the hip-hop category in 1991.
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1994
At the height of her success, Whitney Houston scored a whopping eight awards, including the Award of Merit.
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1997
Pat Boone changed his clean-cut image forever by leathering up to present an award to Metallica with Alice Cooper.
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1999
Will Smith was the big winner this year, taking home three awards for Big Willie Style.
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2001
After turning up with Justin Timberlake in matching denim outfits, Britney Spears stripped into something a little more comfortable for her performance.
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2003
Eminem was the big winner with four awards, but didn't make it to the show — 8 Mile co-star Mekhi Phifer accepted for him, swearing Em was on his cellphone.
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2003
Owing to a change in schedule, there were two American Music Awards in 2003 — the Osbournes hosted the first.
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2003
At the year's second AMAs, Kid Rock lit up the stage with his cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love."
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2004
Anna Nicole Smith was not in top form for her AMAs appearance, slurring her words and becoming the subject of several jokes during the show.
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2007
American Idol vets Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry were big winners in 2007, as each took home three awards.
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2009
Janet Jackson opened the show with a medley, and later paid tribute to her late brother Michael by joining in a dance number and performing their duet, "Scream."
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2009
American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert's provocative performance went viral.
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2010
Russell Brand and Katy Perry declare their love for Justin Bieber at the American Music Awards on November 21st, 2010.
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2010
Rihanna performs at the 2010 American Music Awards.
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2011
Pitbull and Marc Anthony shared the stage at the 2011 American Music Awards.
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2011
LMFAO welcomed a true legend – good-humored actor David Hasselhoff – onstage at the American Music Awards.