# American Music Awards of 1984

The 11th Annual American Music Awards were held on January 16, 1984. Michael Jackson was the big winner of the night, winning eight awards. The broadcast was watched by over 55 Million viewers according to Nielsen, making it the most watched American Music Awards of all time.

## Performances

| Artist(s) | Song(s) |
| Lionel Richie | "All Night Long (All Night)" |
| Barry Manilow | "Read 'Em and Weep" |
| Alabama | "Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)" |
| Culture Club | "Karma Chameleon" (live from London) |
| Irene Cara | "Flashdance... What a Feeling" |
| Barry Manilow | Tribute to Michael Jackson: "I'll Be There" |
| Lionel Richie | Medley: "Still" "Lady" |
| Barbara Mandrell Richard Carpenter | Tribute to Karen Carpenter: "We've Only Just Begun" |
| Janie Fricke | "Let's Stop Talkin' About It" |

## Winners and nominees

| Subcategory | Winner | Nominees |
| Pop/Rock Categories |||
| Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist | Michael Jackson | David Bowie Billy Joel Lionel Richie |
| Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist | Pat Benatar | Stevie Nicks Donna Summer Bonnie Tyler |
| Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group | Daryl Hall & John Oates | Def Leppard Men at Work The Police |
| Favorite Pop/Rock Album | Thriller – Michael Jackson | Pyromania – Def Leppard Flashdance Soundtrack Synchronicity – The Police |
| Favorite Pop/Rock Song | "Billie Jean" – Michael Jackson | "Flashdance... What a Feeling" – Irene Cara "Every Breath You Take" – The Police "Total Eclipse of the Heart" – Bonnie Tyler |
| Favorite Pop/Rock Video | "Beat It" – Michael Jackson | "Billie Jean" – Michael Jackson "Tell Her About It – Billy Joel |
| Soul/R&B Categories |||
| Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist | Michael Jackson | Rick James Prince Lionel Richie |
| Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Aretha Franklin | Angela Bofill Irene Cara Donna Summer |
| Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group | Gladys Knight & The Pips | DeBarge The Gap Band The Isley Brothers |
| Favorite Soul/R&B Album | Thriller – Michael Jackson | Visions – Gladys Knight & The Pips 1999 – Prince Lionel Richie – Lionel Richie |
| Favorite Soul/R&B Song | "All Night Long (All Night)" – Lionel Richie | "Billie Jean" – Michael Jackson "Cold Blooded" – Rick James "Juicy Fruit" – Mtume |
| Favorite Soul/R&B Video | "Beat It" – Michael Jackson | "Billie Jean" – Michael Jackson "She Works Hard for the Money" – Donna Summer |
| Country Categories |||
| Favorite Country Male Artist | Willie Nelson | Charley Pride Kenny Rogers Conway Twitty |
| Favorite Country Female Artist | Barbara Mandrell | Janie Fricke Crystal Gayle Sylvia |
| Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group | Alabama | The Oak Ridge Boys Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton The Statler Brothers |
| Favorite Country Album | The Closer You Get... – Alabama | Somebody's Gonna Love You – Lee Greenwood Pancho & Lefty – Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson Highways & Heartaches – Ricky Skaggs |
| Favorite Country Song | "Islands in the Stream" – Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton | "Dixieland Delight" – Alabama "Swingin'" – John Anderson "Love Song" – The Oak Ridge Boys |
| Favorite Country Video | "Dixieland Delight" – Alabama | "Pancho & Lefty" – Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson "Potential New Boyfriend" – Dolly Parton |
| Merit |||
| Michael Jackson |||