The American Music Awards (AMA) were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete directly with the Grammy Awards. The AMA are now considered one of the music industry's top 3 most prestigious awards alongside the Grammys and the MTV Video Music Awards. This is a list of the top 10 leaders in nominations through the years in Pop-Rock categories. The awards they have won are listed as well.
1. Mariah Carey
Photo by Jason Merritt / Getty Images
16 nominations
Awards Won
- 1993 - Favorite Female Artist
- 1995 - Favorite Female Artist
- 1996 - Favorite Female Artist
Mariah Carey has the undisputed lead in AMA Pop-Rock nominations. An interesting piece of trivia is that Carey lost the 1990 award for Favorite New Artist to none other than Vanilla Ice.
2. Michael Jackson
Photo by Dave Hogan / Getty Images
14 nominations
Awards Won
- 1984 - Favorite Male Artist, Favorite Single ("Billie Jean"), Favorite Album (Thriller)
- 1993 - Favorite Album (Dangerous)
- 1996 - Favorite Male Artist
Michael Jackson has received more AMA nominations than any other male artist. His three pop-rock nominations this year moved him up into second place all-time overall.
3. Whitney Houston
Courtesy Arista
11 nominations
Awards Won
- 1987 - Favorite Female Artist, Favorite Album (Whitney Houston)
- 1988 - Favorite Female Artist, Favorite Single ("I Wanna Dance With Somebody")
- 1989 - Favorite Female Artist
- 1994 - Favorite Female Artist, Favorite Single ("I Will Always Love You"), Favorite Album (The Bodyguard Soundtrack)
Whitney Houston has won more Pop-Rock AMA's (8) than any other artist.
4. Eagles
Photo by Scott Gries / Getty Images
10 nominations
Awards Won
- 1977 - Favorite Album (Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975)
- 1981 - Favorite Band, Duo, or Group
- 1996 - Favorite Band, Duo, or Group, Favorite Album (Hell Freezes Over)
The Eagles lead the pack of groups in AMA Pop-Rock nominations. They are among the few artists to receive nominations in the 70's, 80's, and 90's.
5. Janet Jackson
Photo by Stefania D'Alessandro / Getty Images
9 nominations
Awards Won
- 1991 - Favorite Female Artist
- 2002 - Favorite Female Artist
Janet Jackson is an artist who has the possibility to challenge Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey for all-time honors in the future.
6. Elton John
Photo by Dave Hogan / Getty Images
9 nominations
Awards Won
- 1977 - Favorite Male Artist, Favorite Single ("Don't Go Breaking My Heart")
Elton John's only 2 victories took place in 1977 when "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," a duet with Kiki Dee, was one of the biggest hit singles of the year. However, he has racked up a number of nominations scattered over subsequent years.
7. Madonna
Photo by Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images
9 nominations
Madonna holds the dubious distinction of being the most nominated artist in Pop-Rock categories without a victory. This is one of the few achievements in the music industry she has missed. In contrast to her AMA failures, she has racked up 5 Grammy Awards through the years.
8. Olivia Newton-John
Photo by Getty Images
8 nominations
Awards Won
- 1975 - Favorite Female Artist, Favorite Single ("I Honestly Love You")
- 1976 - Favorite Female Artist, Favorite Album (Have You Never Been Mellow)
- 1977 - Favorite Female Artist
- 1983 - Favorite Female Artist
Olivia Newton-John was one of the dominant female artists in the early years of the AMA's. She often competed against Helen Reddy for top honors.
9. Celine Dion
Photo by Evan Agostini / Getty Images
8 nominations
Awards Won
- 1998 - Favorite Female Artist
- 1999 - Favorite Female Artist
Celine Dion was a serious competitor for all-time honors until she announced an early retirement. Now she is on the comeback trail.
10. Fleetwood Mac
Photo by Rob Loud / Getty Images
7 nominations
Awards Won
- 1978 - Favorite Band, Duo, or Group, Favorite Album (Rumours)
- 2003 - Favorite Band
Fleetwood Mac took home a stunning victory as Favorite Band, Duo, or Group with their comeback in 2002.
