Music has evolved significantly since the inception of the American Music Awards on Feb. 19, 1974, offering a fan-driven alternative to the Grammy Awards. The American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special, a two-hour event that aired on Sunday, Oct. 6, beautifully encapsulated these changes through carefully curated segments and captivating performances.
Fifty years is a substantial period. Sadly, two of the three original co-hosts of the inaugural show, Roger Miller and Helen Reddy, as well as the show’s creator, legendary TV producer Dick Clark, are no longer with us. The show recently transitioned from ABC to CBS, which broadcasted this anniversary special and will also air the upcoming regular AMA broadcast in May.
Initially, the plan was for the AMAs to debut on CBS with a standard best-of-the-year broadcast. However, a decision was made to first remind the audience of the AMAs’ rich history before relaunching the show, which had been on hiatus since 2022.
Motown icon Smokey Robinson, the third co-host of the inaugural show, introduced a segment during this anniversary special. He was joined by five other former AMAs hosts or co-hosts, including Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Reba McEntire, Jimmy Kimmel, and Cedric the Entertainer.
The longevity of the AMAs has surpassed many expectations, including those of Clark himself. In December 1973, Clark was involved in the first AMAs and even gave an interview to Billboard’s Bob Kirsch, predicting a show that would last 20 years and engage the general public in popular music awards.
Clark’s prediction fell short as the next year’s AMAs will mark the 51st edition of the awards.
The American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special was produced by Dick Clark Productions, with Michael Dempsey serving as the executive producer.
Here are eight standout moments from the AMAs special that effectively showcase the significant changes in popular music over the past 50 years.
The American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special is a production of Dick Clark Productions, owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation (PMC) and a joint venture between PMC and Eldridge, which is the parent company of Billboard.
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Gladys Knight Performs a Classic
The show kicked off with a clip package from the first show, featuring Stevie Wonder performing “Superstition” and Gladys Knight & the Pips singing “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Both songs were chart-topping hits in 1973 and remain timeless classics. The show then transitioned to Knight’s live performance of the song, with three female backup singers replacing the Pips.
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Country Through the Years
A montage of country artists who have graced the AMAs stage culminated in Kane Brown’s rendition of Alan Jackson’s 2002 hit “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” followed by his own current hit “Miles on It.”
Brad Paisley also paid tribute to the late Charley Pride, performing a snippet of Pride’s 1971 hit “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'” before transitioning to his own new single “Truck Still Works,” reminiscent of his 2004 hit “Mud on the Tires.”
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Salute to Whitney Houston
EGOT recipient Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to the legendary Whitney Houston by recreating a medley Houston performed at the 1994 AMAs, featuring “I Loves You, Porgy” and “I Will Always Love You.” Houston’s performance was a highlight in AMAs history, and Hudson did justice to it, despite being only 12 years old at the time. Houston, a 22-time AMA winner, also co-hosted the 1988 AMAs.
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Hip-hop Gets Its Due
Hip-hop categories were introduced to the AMAs in the 16th show in 1989, with DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince winning favorite rap/hip-hop artist and album. The show featured memorable moments with hip-hop stars like Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre.
Three-time AMA winner Nelly closed the segment with a medley of his greatest hits, joined by Chingy, J-Kwon, and members of the St. Lunatics.
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A Fun Segment on ‘Outrageous’ Moments
A fun segment highlighted outrageous moments from past AMAs, including memorable instances with artists like Vanilla Ice and Billy Ray Cyrus. Notably, the recording of “We Are the World” on the night of the 1985 AMAs showcased the event’s significance in pop culture history.
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A Parade of Boy Bands
A segment on the history of boy bands at the AMAs featured iconic groups like Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, BTS, New Edition, New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, and One Direction. K-pop stars Stray Kids concluded the segment with a performance that paid homage to *NSYNC’s choreography.
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RAYE Sings a James Brown Classic
Singer-songwriter RAYE delivered a stunning performance of James Brown’s classic “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” RAYE’s rendition followed a retrospective on recipients of the American Music Award of Merit, honoring music legends like Brown, Bon Jovi, Johnny Cash, and Whitney Houston.
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They’re Every Woman
The show concluded with a tribute to women artists who have graced the AMAs stage over the years, including Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Beyoncé, and more. The finale featured Chaka Khan performing her hit “I’m Every Woman,” backed by percussionist Sheila E., celebrating the legacy of female artists in the music industry.
FAQs
Q: Who produced the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special?
A: The American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special was produced by Dick Clark Productions, with Michael Dempsey serving as the executive producer.
Q: How many former AMAs hosts or co-hosts appeared in the anniversary show?
A: Six former AMAs hosts or co-hosts appeared in the anniversary show, including Smokey Robinson, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Reba McEntire, Jimmy Kimmel, and Cedric the Entertainer.
Q: Which iconic song did Gladys Knight & the Pips perform during the first show?
A: Gladys Knight & the Pips performed “Midnight Train to Georgia,” a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973, during the first show.
Credit: www.billboard.com
