Michael Monday: First American Music Awards Presentation

Michael appeared on the first American Music Awards in February of 1973, not as an honoree but as a presenter, along with fellow teen heart-throb Donny Osmond, and child stars, Rodney Allen Rippy and Ricky Segall, who were apparently intended to be the pint-sized versions of Michael and Donny. (There is a whole strange subliminal black and white message going on with the costuming.) The script is terrible and Michael looks like he knows it. Donny, bless him, is either more experienced at delivering sappy dialogue, or was so thrilled to be presenting next to Michael Jackson that he looks genuinely excited to be there.



Of course, Donny and Michael together on the same stage was a teen magazine editor's dream come true and warranted a three-page spread in 16 magazine detailing the rehearsals (apparently a dress rehearsal for Michael and Rodney only) and the after party, where Michael was too shy to approach his crush, Maureen McCormick, and left early with Donny to take in a 10:30 p.m. showing of The Sting. Ah, the exciting life of a teen idol. Michael would go on to win 26 American Music Awards of his own over the span of his career, more than any other artist.