Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images for dcp
Just over a week ago Lionel Richie was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and last night (Sunday 20 November) he picked up the Icon Award at the American Music Awards.
Lionel has picked up no fewer than 17 AMA’s, and has become the only artist to take to the stage at this event in every decade since the show began.
Accepting the award last night Lionel offered advice to the young superstars urging them to use their talents to Inspire.
“God has given you a light. That light is special. That light is only given to a few. When you hear the word ‘hip,’ it means today. When you hear the word ‘inspiring,’ it means forever. If you get a chance to have that light on you, understand what God has in store”
Watch Lionel’s full acceptance speech below.
Closing out the show, Stevie Wonder and Charlie Puth played a medley of Lionels classic hits and were joined by a star studded cast including Ari Lennox, Melissa Etheridge, Jimmie Allen, Muni Long, Smokey Robinson to perform We Are The World in honour of Lionel Richie.
Lionel Richie joined Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Dolly Parton and Carly Simon who were all inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame this year.
Prior to accepting his Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction, Lionel performed his greatest hits and was joined by Foo Fighters Dave Grohl for ‘Easy’.
Photo: Getty Images
Speaking to Rolling Stone earlier this year, Richie compared being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to reaching heaven, saying: “This is the holy grail of what we do in the business.”