6 jaw-dropping awards ceremony performances

We're celebrating the first-ever Global Awards here at Gold, and it got us thinking: awards shows really can bring out the best in an artist...

Here are some of our favourite performances from classic awards ceremonies over the years, including Prince, Michael Jackson and more:

Prince - 'Purple Rain' at the American Music Awards (1985)

His purple highness was at the height of his powers in 1985 and, as this performance shows, extremely capable of showing it on a big awards stage.

‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’, Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame (2004)

This is a who’s who of rock gods, all assembled on one stage for a definitive performance of George Harrison’s hit at his induction into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame back in 2004. Look out for Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, George Harrison’s own son Dhani and, to top it off, a scene-stealing guitar solo from Prince.

Stevie Wonder - ‘You Haven’t Done Nothin’’, Grammys (1975)

Unbelievably, Stevie Wonder was only 24 years old when he reeled off this blistering performance. And he completely upstages Andy Williams while he’s at it.

Lorde - ‘Life On Mars’, Brit Awards (2016)

David Bowie’s untimely death in 2016 prompted the whole music world to go into mourning. But one tribute performance from Bowie’s own backing band and the singer that he himself described as the future of music, Lorde, showed just how much impact he had. A very special Brit Awards performance:

Michael Jackson at the Grammys (1988)

This moment captures MJ at his peak, performing a medley of his hits while spinning at a frankly alarming speed. Watch those knees, Michael.

Whitney Houston - ‘I Have Nothing’, Billboard Music Awards (1993)

One of the greatest voices of all time, singing one of her biggest ballads - bow down to Whitney.