Bruce Gowers
Born: 1940-12-21 in West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland
Died: 2023-01-15
Known For: Directing
Biography
Bruce Gowers was an English television director and producer, best known for work on large scale live music and event productions. He started his career in his native England where his landmark music video for Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" brought him international recognition leading to his relocation to the U.S. in the late 1970s. Bruce’s varied career includes credits for the live episodes of American Idol (2001–2010) which he has directed from the start, and awards shows including the Emmys, The MTV Awards, the Billboard Awards and the American Music Awards, event specials including Live Earth, Live 8 and President Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Concert at the Lincoln Memorial and music specials for Michael Jackson and The Jacksons, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart and Britney Spears. See credits below. HBO and Showtime provided the opportunity to direct comedy specials with the biggest names in the business: Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Eddie Murphy and Jerry Seinfeld. For Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and PBS Bruce turned his attention to the popular kids series’ Roundhouse, The Kidsongs TV Show (co-creator), The Amanda Show, All That and the Teen Choice Awards. In the first wave of reality shows, Bruce executive produced and directed The Spectacular World of Guinness Records, America’s Funniest People (co-creator) and This is Your Life. Along the way Bruce has directed documentaries (for the Rolling Stones and Salvador Dali), ice shows, magic shows (Penn and Teller), comedy series (Whose Line is it Anyway), sports (wrestling, soccer and horse racing), talk shows (Tony Tenille), game shows (Family Feud), sitcoms (The Life and Times of Edgar Briggs) and interviews specials (David Frost with various heads of state).
Filmography
2015
- The 10 Faces of Michael Jackson as Self
2010
- The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth ... (Director)
2006
- Celebrity Duets ... (Director)
2004
- The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody as Self
- Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles) ... (Director)
- Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas ... (Director)
- Genius. A Night for Ray Charles ... (Director)
2002
- American Idol ... (Director)
- American Idol: The Search For A Superstar ... (Director)
2001
- Sarah Brightman: La Luna - Live in Concert ... (Director)
- Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration ... (Director)
2000
- Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good ... (Director)
- Britney Spears: Live and More! ... (Director)
- Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration ... (Director)
1997
- Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast ... (Director)
- Kidsongs: I Can Do It ... (Director)
- Fleetwood Mac: The Dance ... (Director)
- The Rolling Stones: Bridges to Babylon Tour '97-98 ... (Production Director)
1996
- Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard ... (Director)
1995
- Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory ... (Director)
- Woodstock 94 ... (Director)
1994
- Kidsongs: Country Sing-Along ... (Director)
- Nine Inch Nails: Woodstock 94 ... (Director)
- Primus: Woodstock 94 ... (Director)
- Mickey's Fun Songs: Campout at Walt Disney World ... (Executive Producer)
1993
- Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict ... (Director)
- Prince: The Hits Collection ... (Director)
1992
- Roundhouse ... (Director)
1991
- The Cure: MTV Unplugged ... (Director)
- Kidsongs: Very Silly Songs ... (Director)
- Paul McCartney: Unplugged ... (Director)
1990
- Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster ... (Director)
- Madonna: The Immaculate Collection ... (Director)
- Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed ... (Director)
- Paula Poundstone: Cats, Cops and Stuff ... (Director)
- The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert ... (Director)
1989
- Legends of Rock 'n' Roll ... (Director)
1988
- Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted ... (Director)
- George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey? ... (Director)
1987
- Kidsongs ... (Director)
- Jerry Seinfeld: Stand-Up Confidential ... (Director)
- Harry Anderson's Sideshow ... (Director)
1986
- Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met ... (Director)
1985
- Kidsongs: A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm ... (Director)
- Rush: Through the Camera Eye ... (Director)
- Huey Lewis and the News: The Heart of Rock and Roll ... (Director)
1984
- Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line ... (Director)
1983
- Eddie Murphy: Delirious ... (Director)
1982
- The Doobie Brothers: Live At The Greek Theatre ... (Director)
1981
- Bob Welch & Friends: Live from the Roxy ... (Director)
- This Is Your Life: 30th Anniversary Special ... (Director)
- Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours ... (Director)
1980
- Solid Gold ... (Director)
1974
- Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74 ... (Director)
1971
- The Rolling Stones: The Marquee Club 1971 ... (Director)