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"8th Annual American Music Awards"

Date confirmed in Getty Images’ ABC Photo Archives listing (archived) (“Airdate: January 30, 1981”)

Michael Jackson, speech transcript

I was trying to put into words my personal thoughts, and then I remembered a quote that John Lennon had said. He said that “Elvis was my idol, but Chuck berry was my teacher”. What a wonderful thing to say. Chuck Berry, we all love you and thank you, you’re wonderful.

...John Lennon was a wonderful entertainer.

Associated Press (January 31, 1981) (archived)

Michael Jackson… won favorite soul album for a second year with “Off the Wall", and was named favorite male soul vocalist for the second straight year. They became the only artists to score twice with the same album since Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life", which was favorite soul album in 1978 and 1979. Earth, Wind and Fire also matched a previous record set by Wonder by winning their fourth award as favorite soul group. Earth, Wind, and Fire previously won the honor in 1977, 1978, and 1979. Wonder is the only previous four-time winner in one category, scoring as favorite male soul vocalist in 1975, 1977, and 1978. "I'm glad to be tied with Stevie", said Jackson. "He's been a great influence on me.”