Lionel Richie receives the Icon Award at the American Music Awards in 2022. Image Source: Extra 

Lionel Richie receives the honor of Icon Award at the American Music Awards in 2022.

The 2022 Annual American Music Awards were held on November 20, 2022, at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, and Lionel Richie was honored with the prestigious Icon Award at the ceremony.

Smokey Robinson, a close friend, appeared on the stage to introduce and honor Lionel Richie, saying he was flattered to be here to introduce the award to his brother and friend, the legendary Lionel Richie.

Smokey went on to say that before Lionel Richie was famous or became a legendary musician as everyone now knows him, Smokey had known him as the guy who had the biggest afro in the Commodores. He further said that to put simply, few career paths have had as much diversity as Lionel Richie's. He went on to appreciate his dear friend by stating that Lionel Richie has coached and inspired generations of musicians, and he joked that fans frequently confuse the two, and they've both grown accustomed to signing autographs as the other.

Lionel Richie appeared on stage to accept his award, he began by saying that he began here at the American Music Awards, and now, 40 years later, he is back. The singer stated that his AMA family began with Dick Clark, and from there, his family, and he went on to thank his children and their mother for continuing to keep them together.

The 73-year-old singer also mentioned in his speech that he is very thankful for his friends, who have always supported him throughout his journey, and later went on to address the young generation of artists present in the audience at the ceremony. Lionel said that God has given them a light, a special light that is given to a few people, and because of this, they have to be very smart while using it and do their best to inspire others.

Lionel mentioned that they should be able to understand what God has in store for them whenever they hear the words hit, which means today, or inspire, which means today means forever. Stevie Wonder and Charlie Puth performed a tribute for Lionel Richie as they came on stage for dueling piano achievements of Richie's biggest hits.

Ahead of the ceremony, Entertainment Tonight’s Denny Directo spoke to Lionel Richie, who shared that receiving the Icon Award is a huge thing for him because he grew up at AMAs and a part of his whole existence is because Dick Clark gave him a shot. The singer noted that the musicians walked in the door. But after that, it became a family. And ABC became a family. And now he's on American Idol, and they're family. He feels very blessed to have received the honor.

Lionel continued that a person can be either famous or they can survive the famous, mentioning that he survived the famous. So tonight is going to be one of those wonderful cases where he gets to sit and enjoy this. On being asked if there is more in store for the world to see, Lionel said, of course, he has got more stuff to do. He added that when they give an artist an award like this, people go, "Are you saying farewell?" Lionel said, "What does this mean?" This is not the retirement plan, he adds, and it is a wonderful time in his and his family's lives. Having his longtime friend Stevie Wonder involved in the tribute, Richie said, made him feel extra blessed.

Lionel told ET ahead of the show that he means that when he was in college before he had any idea of becoming a writer, he was purchasing Songs in the Key of Life and recognizing which direction he was heading, and then all of a sudden, they are now in this tribute. He also stated that he and Mr. Wonderful (Stevie Wonder) have indeed been friends for a long time. Smokey Robinson and Lionel Richie have always been friends, and he feels very fortunate to be a part of this very special club. He came to the conclusion that people needed to comprehend how he felt.

He told People magazine that he is extremely thankful for a professional life that has taken him to places he hadn't ever expected to go, such as venues around the world, studio sets, and the AMA stage. Lionel said that one of the very first times he got to perform at the AMAs was to sing "We Are the World" alongside some of the most legendary performers of his era, so accepting this honor 36 years later is surreal.

Jesse Collins, the show's executive producer, stated that Lionel Richie has managed to have an impact on countless people around the world as well as the music industry as a whole, adding that from the millions of dollars raised by 'We Are the World' to the international influence his unique voice still has today, Richie is the interpretation of a true legend, and respecting him with the AMA Icon Award is a no-brainer.

With Icon Award, Lionel Richie marks his 18th trophy earned from American Music Awards and he is the recipient of four Grammy Awards, one Academy Award, one Golden Globe award and he was the first person in history to receive an RIAA diamond album award.

Congratulations!