The 41st annual American Music Awards promise a packed lineup of performances from some of music’s most influential artists. Two-time AMA winner Katy Perry will open the show with her latest single “Unconditionally.” The night will continue with acts from Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, One Direction, Pitbull, Ke$ha, Lady Gaga, TLC, Luke Bryan, Imagine Dragons, and many more. Somewhere in between all these performances, there will also be awards handed out.
In 1973, Dick Clark created the AMAs for ABC, after the network lost the Grammy Awards to CBS. Although the AMAs aren’t as esteemed as “Music’s Biggest Night,” they still have had many memorable performances throughout their 40 year history. With less than a week until the AMAs air on Nov. 24th, we took a look back at some of the best performances from past shows.
Here are the Top 10 best performances from past AMAs.
10. Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance” and “Speechless” (2009)
This performance balances Gaga’s over-the-top stage presence with her impressive vocal talents. No one would ever call this performance subtle, but it’s not as gimmicky as some of her other acts can be.
9. Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson – “Beauty & the Beast” (1992)
Minus Dion’s white cupcake dress, this duet is flawless, as Dion and Bryson’s voices melt together in this Disney classic.
8. Christina Aguilera – “I Turn to You” and “What a Girl Wants” (2000)
The queen of vocal runs starts out slow, but after one break away skirt, she launches into an up beat song, featuring group choreography and a few final voice-defying high notes.
7. Adam Lambert – “Your Entertaiment” (2009)
The American Idol runner-up’s singing is solid as always, but it’s his shocking onstage antics that are most memorable. Lambert walks a shirtless dancer like a dog, holds another dancer’s head to his crotch, and even kisses a male guitarist.
6. Katy Perry – “The One that Got Away” (2011)
The pop princess leaves her candy-covered outfits at home and lets her vocals shine in this acoustic rendition of one of her “Teenage Dream” hits.
5. Pink – “Try” (2012)
The punk rock singer brings new meaning to singing and dancing. Not only does Pink give a strong vocal performance, but she does it while performing an incredibly athletic contemporary dance routine.
4. Michael Jackson and friends – “We Are the World” (1986)
Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and a whole crowd of celebrities sing this charitable song at the winner’s microphone, after Harry Belafonte (the song’s organizer) received a special award of appreciation.
3. Beyonce – “Single Ladies” (2010)
Sasha Fierce brings her music video to life, as she once again dons her black unitard and moves through her now iconic left hand twisting dance.
2. New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys – (2010)
It was the reunion that launched a million fan girls into tears. This combo performance was the preview to the NKOTBSB Tour and reminds us how much the world needs boy bands.
1. Whitney Houston – “I Loves You, Porgy,” “And I Am Telling You,” and “I Have Nothing” (1994)
This performance shows off Houston’s once in a generation voice, as she soars through two Broadway classics and her own power ballad. The late singer still hits every note perfectly, even in the final moments of this 10 minute long performance.
Image: ABC