The first Annual American Music Awards was a televised awards show, produced by Dick Clark Productions, which aired on ABC February 19, 1974.[1]

Ceremony

The ceremony was hosted by Australian pop singer Helen Reddy, Motown singer Smokey Robinson, and honky tonk singer-songwriter Roger Miller.[2] Reddy went on to win the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist in the year's ceremony.[1]

Gladys Knight & the Pips performed Midnight Train to Georgia at the ceremony. In 2024, Knight reprised the performance at the 50th anniversary special.[3]

Winners and nominees

Subcategory Winner Nominees[4] Ref
Pop/Rock Category
Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist Jim Croce Elton John
Stevie Wonder
[5]
Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist Helen Reddy Roberta Flack
Diana Ross
[1]
Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group The Carpenters Gladys Knight & The Pips
Tony Orlando & Dawn
Favorite Pop/Rock Album Lady Sings The BluesDiana Ross Summer BreezeSeals & Crofts
The World Is A GhettoWar
Favorite Pop/Rock Song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" – Tony Orlando & Dawn "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" – Jim Croce
"Killing Me Softly" – Roberta Flack
Soul/R&B Category
Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist Stevie Wonder James Brown
Al Green
Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist Roberta Flack Aretha Franklin
Betty Wright
Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group The Temptations Gladys Knight & The Pips
The O'Jays
Favorite Soul/R&B Album I'm Still In Love With YouAl Green Let's Get It OnMarvin Gaye
The World Is A GhettoWar
Favorite Soul/R&B Song "Superstition" – Stevie Wonder "Me and Mrs. Jones" – Billy Paul
"Midnight Train to Georgia" – Gladys Knight & the Pips
Country Category
Favorite Country Male Artist Charley Pride Merle Haggard
Conway Twitty
[6]
Favorite Country Female Artist Lynn Anderson Loretta Lynn
Tammy Wynette
Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group The Carter Family The Osborne Brothers
The Statler Brothers
Favorite Country Album A Sunshiny Day with Charley PrideCharley Pride Behind Closed DoorsCharlie Rich
First Songs Of The First LadyTammy Wynette
Favorite Country Song "Behind Closed Doors" – Charlie Rich "Why Me" – Kris Kristofferson
"You've Never Been This Far Before" – Conway Twitty
Merit
Bing Crosby[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Ruud, Karen (October 6, 2024). "Celebrate 50 Years of the American Music Awards, Plus When Will It Return?". Remind. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  2. ^ "The History of the American Music Awards". Atlanta Disc. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  3. ^ Centeno, Tony M. (October 6, 2024). "Gladys Knight Returns 50 Years After Her First Performance At The AMAs". V103 Chicago. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  4. ^ "American music awards Tuesday". The Press Democrat. February 15, 1974. p. 13. Retrieved February 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "American Music Awards: Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist". Rock On The Net. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  6. ^ Izzo, Christina (October 6, 2024). "The American Music Awards is celebrating its big 50th anniversary tonight on TV". What to Watch. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  7. ^ Bing Crosby Wins Merit Award - AMA 1974. American Music Awards. 1974 – via YouTube.
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