The second Annual American Music Awards were held on February 18, 1975. Diana Ross and Berry Gordy Jr. were in Rome filming "Mahogany" and a video of Merit Award was played. Diana presented the award to Mr. Gordy Jr. while Mr. Gordy Sr. looked on between them from his wheelchair. Michael Jackson accepted the Favorite Soul / R&B Artist Award in Ms. Ross' absence.
Also not in attendance were Gladys Knight and the Pips who won 4 awards, 3 by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and the first, inadvertently by show producer Dick Clark who had sent the Mayor off mistakingly.