- 2010s
- 2000s
- 1990s
- 1980s
- 1970s
- References
2010s- 2018: Not Awarded
- 2017: Not Awarded
- 2016: Sting[1]
- 2015: Not Awarded
- 2014: Not Awarded
- 2013: Not Awarded
- 2012: Not Awarded
- 2011: Not Awarded
- 2010: Not Awarded
2000s- 2009: Not Awarded
- 2008: Annie Lennox
- 2007: Not Awarded
- 2006: Not Awarded
- 2005: Not Awarded
- 2004: Bon Jovi
- 2003 (November): Not Awarded
- 2003 (January): Alabama
- 2002: Garth Brooks & Michael Jackson (Joint Winner)
- 2001: Janet Jackson
- 2000: Gloria Estefan
1990s- 1999: Billy Joel
- 1998: Frank Sinatra
- 1997: Little Richard
- 1996: Tammy Wynette
- 1995: Prince
- 1994: Whitney Houston
- 1993: Bill Graham
- 1992: James Brown
- 1991: Merle Haggard
- 1990: Neil Diamond
1980s- 1989: Willie Nelson
- 1988: The Beach Boys
- 1987: Elvis Presley
- 1986: Paul McCartney
- 1985: Loretta Lynn
- 1984: Michael Jackson
- 1983: Kenny Rogers
- 1982: Stevie Wonder
- 1981: Chuck Berry
- 1980: Benny Goodman
1970s- 1979: Perry Como
- 1978: Ella Fitzgerald
- 1977: Johnny Cash
- 1976: Irving Berlin
- 1975: Berry Gordy
- 1974: Bing Crosby
{{American Music Award categories}}{{DEFAULTSORT:American Music Award of Merit}}References1. ^{{cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7550040/american-music-awards-sting-award-of-merit | title=American Music Awards: Sting to Receive Award of Merit, Perform Medley | work=Billboard | date=October 24, 2016 | accessdate=October 25, 2016}}
3 : American Music Awards|Awards established in 1974|American Music Awards |