Photo by Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images

For the first time since its inception in 1973, the American Music Awards will be without its founder, Dick Clark. This Sunday’s live show will mark the event’s 40th anniversary and will showcase a tribute to Clark by soul legend Stevie Wonder, Entertainment Weekly reports.

“Without a Dick Clark, our entire current musical repertoire might be classical in nature. Not that there’s anything wrong with classical music, but Clark helped Beethoven roll over and tell Tchaikovsky the news,” AMA producer Larry Klein said in a statement. “Sunday’s tribute to Dick Clark performed by the iconic Stevie Wonder is going to be talked about for years to come.”

Fittingly, Wonder’s performance will be introduced by Ryan Seacrest, who has called Clark his personal idol and mentor.

Clark passed away on April 18th at age 82 after suffering a heart attack following surgery.

The American Music Awards will air this Sunday (November 18) at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. In addition to Wonder’s tribute to Dick Clark, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Linkin Park, Nicki Minaj, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Ke$ha, Psy, Carly Rae Jepsen and more will be on hand.

– E.J. Judge, WCBS-FM