Diana Ross to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at American Music Awards

Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Diana Ross will be honored with the American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement at the upcoming AMA ceremony.

Ross is a seven-time AMA winner who previously hosted the awards show in 1986 and 1987.

"I have endless memories of all the years that I have appeared on the American Music Awards," the iconic singer said in a statement."It started with Dick Clark and The Caravan of Stars and American Bandstand. It was Dick Clark who said 'Music is the soundtrack of our lives.' So true. I am so excited to be receiving this honorable award."

The prestigious award is given "to artists who have made truly exceptional contributions to the music industry."

Ross joins a list of previous Lifetime Achievement winners such as Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan and Whitney Houston among others.

The American Music Awards will be airing live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.