Lionel Ritchie performs during the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics Games in Los Angeles, CA., Aug. 12, 1984. Associated Press, file
Lionel Richie can now say hello to another illustrious award.
The chart-topping singer-songwriter will receive the “Icon” honor at this month’s American Music Awards to recognize his decades of influence, organizers announced Monday.
“I’m immensely grateful for a career that has taken me to places I never imagined that I’d go, from arenas worldwide to studio sets to the AMA stage,” Richie said.
“I can recall one of the first times I got to perform at the AMAs. It was to sing ‘We Are the World’ among the most iconic musicians of my generation, so it is surreal to be receiving this recognition 36 years later.”
The award will be the 18th that Richie has received from the AMAs, with previous honors including favorite pop/rock male artist in 1985 and 1987.
The 73-year-old has released 10 studio albums and earned a dozen No. 1 hits, including “Hello,” “All Night Long (All Night)” and “Dancing on the Ceiling.” He has starred as a judge on the ABC singing competition “American Idol” since 2018.
The AMAs introduced the “Icon” award in 2013, naming Rihanna was the first recipient. The honor is designed to recognize a body of work that’s had “a global influence over the music industry,” organizers say.
Richie will be on hand to accept the honor at the Nov. 20 ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, which ABC will broadcast live.
Carrie Underwood, Imagine Dragons and Pink are among the show’s performers.
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