The first Annual American Music Awards was a televised awards show, produced by Dick Clark Productions, which aired on ABC February 19, 1974.
The ceremony was hosted by Australian pop singer Helen Reddy, Motown singer Smokey Robinson, and honky tonk singer-songwriter Roger Miller. Reddy went on to win the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist in the year's ceremony.
Gladys Knight & the Pips performed Midnight Train to Georgia at the ceremony. In 2024, Knight reprised the performance at the 50th anniversary special.