Photo: Getty Images
The iconic Gladys Knight made her grand return to the American Music Awards five decades after her debut performance at the awards show.
On Sunday night, October 6, the esteemed AMA winner took to the stage at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles and performed an extravagant rendition of her timeless classic "Midnight Train To Georgia." It's the same song she delivered alongside The Pips at the inaugural American Music Awards in 1974. To celebrate the award show's 50th anniversary, Knight performed her award-winning song while rocking a shimmering, black body suit.
"So grateful to help the @amas celebrate their 50th Anniversary with this Special," Knight wrote in an Instagram post before the show.
Gladys Knight & The Pips have won seven AMAs over the past 50 years. In 1975, the group picked up four awards including Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group, Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group, Favorite Soul/R&B Album for their 11th studio album Imagination and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Midnight Train to Georgia."
They continued to win Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group in 1976, 1984, and 1989. The song also won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus in 1973. Before the show, she recalled her first experience working with her friend Dick Clark of Dick Clark Productions and said they grew together throughout the course of her iconic career.
Knight's performance was one of several nostalgic performances during the American Music Awards 50th anniversary special. Other divas like Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, and Jennifer Hudson also blessed the audience with rare sets that honored the AMAs' legacy.
See scenes from Gladys Knight's performance below.