The Rock and Roll All Nite hitmakers were presented with the Founders Award by Foo Fighters star Dave Grohl, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to music, while Patrick Simmons and Michael MCDonald of The Doobie Brothers were on hand to accept the Voice of Music Award - a prize given to artists whose music "gives voice to the spirit of a generation".

Singer/songwriter St. Vincent was also lauded with the Vanguard Award, which celebrates songwriters who have impacted musical genres that are shaping the future of American music, while songwriter Toby Gad was given the honour of Song of the Year for his chart-topping John Legend collaboration All of Me, and superproducer Max Martin was named the Songwriter of the Year for the fifth consecutive year and the eighth time in his career.

Over the past year, Martin has worked on such hits as Bang Bang by Ariana Grande, Jessie J and Nicki Minaj, Shake It Off by Taylor Swift, and Roar by Katy Perry.

The event at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles also featured performances from Capital Cities' Sebu Simonian, former Bon Jovi star Richie Sambora and Australian guitarist Orianthi who paid tribute to The Doobie Brothers, while singer/actor Constantine Maroulis sang a medley of Kiss hits.