Who created the American Music Awards in 1973?

Dick Clark created the American Music Awards in 1973. He developed the show after ABC’s contract to broadcast the Grammy Awards expired and the Grammys moved to CBS. The new program gave ABC a major music-industry awards broadcast of its own, with winners chosen through a more audience-focused system.

The first American Music Awards ceremony followed on February 19, 1974. Unlike the Grammy Awards, whose nominations and winners are determined by members of the Recording Academy, the AMAs were designed around commercial popularity and public interest. Nominees have traditionally reflected measures such as sales and airplay, while winners have been selected through public voting.

A common mix-up is confusing the show’s creator with its hosts. Helen Reddy, Roger Miller, and Smokey Robinson hosted the inaugural ceremony, but none of them created the awards. Dick Clark also founded the production company that became closely associated with the program, helping shape its long-running television identity.