American Music Awards througout the years
Prince in 1985
Prince, in his full-on "Purple Rain" mode, shows off his guitar skills at the 1985 AMAs.
Lady Gaga in 2009
The ever dramatic Lady Gaga literally sets the show on fire at the 2009 American Music Awards.
Lionel Richie in 1985
Lionel Richie, too, has his arms full at the 1985 AMAs.
Fleetwood Mac in 1978
Fleetwood Mac vamps for the camera backstage at the 1978 American Music Awards.
LL Cool J in 1988
LL Cool J and his posse on the AMAs red carpet in 1988.
Michael Jackson & Eddie Murphy in 1989
Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy at the 1989 AMAs.
Mariah Carey in 1993
Mariah Carey shows off one award for each hand at the 1993 AMAs.
Kanye in 2008
A casual Kanye West on stage at the 2008 AMAs.
Christina Aguilera in 2008
Christina Aguilera performs in revealing black at the 2008 AMAs.
Alicia Keys & Jay Z in 2009
Alicia Keys & Jay Z invoke the glamour of the silver screen at the 2009 AMAs.
Britney & Mary in 2006
Pop meets soul as Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige pose backstage at the 2006 American Music Awards.
Britney & Mary in 2006
Pop meets soul as Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige pose backstage at the 2006 American Music Awards.
Tim, Faith, Pam and Kid Rock in 2003
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock grinned backstage at the 2003 AMAs.
David Hasselhoff in 2011
David Hasselhoff is sexy and he knows it performing with LMFAO at the 2011 AMAs.
Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull in 2011
Jennifer Lopez, in her skin-tight, skin-colored bodysuit, performs with Pitbull at the 2011 AMAs.
Madonna in 1987
A very blonde Madonna onstage at the 1987 American Music Awards.
Taylor Swift in 2011
Taylor Swift gives her signature surprised expression after winning a trophy at the 2011 American Music Awards.
Usher and His Protege in 2010
Usher and Justin Bieber sat in the audience in matching black jackets at the 2010 AMAs.
Tina Turner in 1985
Tine Turner showed of her AMA in 1985.
Nicki Minaj in 2011
Nicki Minaj got serious in green at the 2011 AMAs after she won the Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album and Artist Award.
Destiny's Child in 2002
Destiny's Child smiled for the cameras in the press room at the 2002 American Music Awards.
Rihanna in 2008
Rihanna showed off two of her assets - newly-won AMAs -- at the 2008 American Music Awards.
Kesha in 2010
Kesha, in a plunging black frock an a blonde faux-hawk made the scene on the 2010 AMAs red carpet.
Jenny McCarthy's Big Kiss in 2012
Presenter Jenny McCarthy plants a playful kiss on winner Justin Bieber as he accepts the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album at the 2012 AMAs.
Gloria Estefan in 1988
Gloria Estefan was one of the performers at the 1988 AMAs.
Adam Lambert in 2009
In one of the most memorable AMAs moments ever, Adam Lambert got very up-close and personal with one of his dancers at the 2009 American Music Awards.
Janet Jackson in 2009
Janet Jackson performed at the 2009 American Music Awards.
Selena and Justin in 2011
Looking movie-star glamourous, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber caused a big stir on the red carpet at the 2011 American Music Awards.
Miley Cyrus and Friends in 2008
Miley Cyrus celebrated a very sweet 16 at the 2008 AMAs alongside the likes of Jordin Sparks, Ashley Tisdale, and Taylor Swift.
Pat Boone in 1997
Pat Boone donned a surprising leather look at the 1997 AMAs he promoted his metal cover album.
Kesha and Pitbull in 2013
Kesha and Pitbull perform onstage during the 2013 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, CA
The Infamous Denim Duo in 2001
Power duo Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake draped themseves in denim for the 2001 AMAs.
The Original Squad in 2011
Some of music's top ladies -- Selena Gomez, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift -- joined forces for a photo at the 2011 American Music Awards.
Michael Jackson & His Dates
Beyond hitting the stage at the American Music Awards, Michael Jackson also often brought interesting arm candy including Elizabeth Taylor (1993, 1986), Brooke Shields (1984) and Diana Ross (1981).
Gwen Stefani in 2004
Gwen Stefani gives a royal performance at the 2004 AMAs.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince in 1989
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) each hold an award at the 1989 AMAs.
Guns N' Roses in 1990
Guns N' Roses rocked out on the 1990 American Music Awards show.
Aretha Franklin in 1977
Aretha Franklin and her 'Favorite Soul/R&B Artist' trophy backstage at the 1977 AMAs
Stevie Wonder and Neil Diamon in 1990
Stevie Wonder and Neil Diamond posed together at the 1990 American Music Awards.
Cyndi Lauper in 1985
Cyndi Lauper gets colorful at the 1985 AMAs.
One Direction in 2013
One Direction accept the Favorite Pop/Rock Album award for 'Take Me Home' onstage during the 2013 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. November 24, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Snoop Dogg in 1999
Snoop Dogg poses for the cameras at the 1999 American Music Awards.
Lady Gaga and R. Kelly in 2013
R. Kelly and Lady Gaga perform onstage during the 2013 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, CA
Pink in 2012
Pink shows off her acrobatic skills during her performance at the AMAs in 2012.
Madonna in 1985
Madonna cradles her award at the 1985 AMAs.
Beyonce in 2008
Beyonce puts a ring on it during the 2008 American Music Awards.
Whitney Houston's Many Appearances
Whitney Houston was an AMAs regular. Here the iconic singer appears at the 1986, 1994 and 2009 American Music Awards, respectively.
Carrie Underwood With Her Awards in 2007
Carrie Underwood in the press room at the 2007 American Music Awards.
Justin Timberlake in 2013
Justin Timberlake performs onstage during the 2013 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. November 24, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
TLC & Dr. Dre in 1994
T-Boz, Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes and Chilli of TLC with Dr. Dre at the 1994 AMAs
Katy Perry in 2013
Katy Perry performs onstage during the 2013 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 24, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
PSY & MC Hammer Perform Together in 2012
Hammertime! PSY and MC Hammer join forces for a surprise "Gangnam Style"/"2 Legit 2 Quit" performance at the 2012 AMAs.
Miley Cyrus & Her Cat in 2013
Miley Cyrus performs onstage during the 2013 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 24, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Taylor Swift in 2014
While accepting the Dick Clark Award for Excellence in 2014, Taylor Swift once again stumped for paying artists for music. "Music is valuable and music should be consumed in albums and albums should be consumed as art and appreciated," she said.
Celine Dion in 2015
The 2015 awards were held shortly after the shootings at the Bataclan theater in Paris. As a tribute, Celine Dion — with an introduction from Jared Leto — sang Hymne a L’Amour, honoring the city and the victims beautifully.