The American Music Awards (AMAs) are gearing up for a milestone celebration—their 50th Anniversary Special promises an unforgettable night filled with iconic performances, legendary appearances, and a nostalgic tribute to the greatest moments in music history.
This two-hour event will honor five decades of award-winning artists and jaw-dropping performances that have defined the AMAs as the world’s largest fan-voted awards show.
The latest news reveals even more excitement, as three-time AMA winner Nelly joins the performance lineup, set to pay tribute to hip-hop’s biggest moments alongside Chingy, J-Kwon, and members of the St. Lunatics. Nile Rodgers & CHIC will also hit the stage, delivering classics like “Le Freak” and the Grammy-winning hit “Get Lucky.” At the same time, Sheila E. is set to join Chaka Khan in a powerful performance celebrating the achievements of female artists. The special will feature appearances from stars like Carrie Underwood, Gloria Estefan, and Jimmy Kimmel, with even more performers to be announced.
Expect dazzling performances, legendary tributes, and appearances from the biggest names in music. We’ll keep updating this article with all the latest details, so get ready for a night celebrating the AMAs like never before!
Release date & Where to Watch
The two-hour special will air on CBS on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024from 8-10 pm ETand will also stream on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).
Plot
The American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special will celebrate five decades of music history with new performances, artist interviews, special guests, and never-before-seen footage from DCP’s vast archives. The program will include themed highlights from past AMA shows, each concluding with either an original performance or a featured artist interview. Segments will also explore the evolution of key artists and genres over the years, as well as commemorate award and performance milestones.
The two-hour special will pay tribute to iconic moments and unforgettable performances that have defined the AMAs. Set to feature dazzling new performances and appearances from legendary artists, the event will highlight stars like Brad Paisley, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, and more.
Some standout performances include Brad Paisley paying tribute to the late Charley Pride, the first AMA winner for Country Male and Country Album. Chaka Khan will celebrate 50 years of female achievements on the AMAs with her classic anthem “I’m Every Woman,” while Gladys Knight, who first performed at the AMAs in 1974, will return with an encore of her hit “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
Mariah Carey will kick off the 20th anniversary celebration of her iconic album The Emancipation of Mimi with a medley of hits. Jennifer Hudson will honor Whitney Houston in a special tribute performance, while Green Day will highlight the history of rock music at the AMAs with their hit “Dilemma.” Country star Kane Brown will celebrate the legacy of country music with a mix of classic and modern hits, and Raye will perform James Brown’s “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” in tribute to past American Music Award of Merit honorees. Meanwhile, Stray Kids will deliver a special performance paying homage to the legacy of boy bands.
In addition to these performances, the special will feature appearances from top AMA winners like Carrie Underwood, as well as former hosts and performers such as Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, and Jimmy Kimmel. With a focus on celebrating 50 years of AMAs history, this event promises to showcase unforgettable musical moments, paying homage to the artists and performances that shaped pop culture.
Performers
- Brad Paisley
- Chaka Khan & Sheila E.
- Gladys Knight
- Green Day
- Jennifer Hudson
- Kane Brown
- Mariah Carey
- Raye
- Stray Kids
- Nelly
- Nile Rodgers & CHIC
Appearances by:
- Carrie Underwood
- Jimmy Kimmel
- Jennifer Lopez
- Gloria Estefan
- AJ McLean
- Cedric the entertainer
- Kate Hudson
- Lance Bass
- Reba Mcentire
- Samuel L. Jackson
- Smokey Robinson
AMAs 50th Anniversary Special Official Trailer
Behind the Scenes
The American Music Awards (AMAs), created by legendary producer Dick Clark in 1973, were designed as a fan-based alternative to the Grammys. The first show aired on February 19, 1974, lasting just 90 minutes. Now, more than 50 years later, the AMAs have grown into the world’s largest fan-voted music awards show, with nominations based on Billboard-charting data, including streaming, album and song sales, and radio airplay.
Clark’s vision was to engage the general public in popular music awards, an idea that still drives the AMAs today. Originally focusing on pop/rock, soul/R&B, and country, the show now covers a broad range of genres, such as hip-hop, Latin, gospel, Afrobeats, and K-pop.
In 2025, the AMAs will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a special produced by Dick Clark Productions, with Michael Dempsey as executive producer. This milestone follows ABC’s 20th anniversary special in 1993, hosted by Kenny Rogers. Penske Media Eldridge, the parent company of Billboard, owns DCP, which continues to produce the AMAs.
Clark's prediction of a 20-year run was modest; the AMAs have far exceeded his expectations and remain a cultural touchstone in music.
Written by ODD Balls
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