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Bruce Gowers

Bruce Gowers

Director · 1940–2023 · West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK

IMDb

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).

Directed 49

2010s

  1. 2010

    The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth

    Director

2000s

  1. 2006

    Celebrity Duets

    Director

  2. 2004

    Genius. A Night for Ray Charles

    Director

  3. Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles)

    Director

  4. 2002

    American Idol

    Director

    45

  5. American Idol: The Search For A Superstar

    Director

  6. 2001

    Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration

    Director

    83

  7. Sarah Brightman: La Luna - Live in Concert

    Director

  8. 2000

    Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good

    Director

  9. Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration

    Director

  10. Britney Spears: Live and More!

    Director

1990s

  1. 1997

    Fleetwood Mac: The Dance

    Director

  2. Kidsongs: I Can Do It

    Director

  3. Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast

    Director

  4. 1995

    Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory

    Director

  5. Woodstock 94

    Director

  6. 1994

    Kidsongs: Country Sing-Along

    Director

  7. Nine Inch Nails: Woodstock 94

    Director

  8. Primus: Woodstock 94

    Director

  9. 1993

    Prince: The Hits Collection

    Director

  10. Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict

    Director

  11. 1992

    Rod Stewart Vagabond Heart Tour

    Director

  12. Roundhouse

    Director

  13. 1991

    The 14th Annual Young Comedians Show

    Director

  14. Paul McCartney: Unplugged

    Director

  15. The Cure: MTV Unplugged

    Director

  16. Kidsongs: Very Silly Songs

    Director

  17. 1990

    Paula Poundstone: Cats, Cops and Stuff

    Director

  18. Madonna: The Immaculate Collection

    Director

  19. Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed

    Director

  20. Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster

    Director

  21. The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert

    Director

1980s

  1. 1989

    Legends of Rock 'n' Roll

    Director

  2. 1988

    Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted

    Director

  3. George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?

    Director

  4. 1987

    Harry Anderson's Sideshow

    Director

  5. Kidsongs

    Director

  6. Jerry Seinfeld: Stand-Up Confidential

    Director

  7. 1986

    Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met

    Director

  8. 1985

    Kidsongs: A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm

    Director

  9. Huey Lewis and the News: The Heart of Rock and Roll

    Director

  10. Rush: Through the Camera Eye

    Director

  11. 1984

    Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line

    Director

  12. 1983

    Eddie Murphy: Delirious

    Director

    80
  13. 1982

    The Doobie Brothers: Live At The Greek Theatre

    Director

  14. 1981

    Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours

    Director

  15. 1980

    Solid Gold

    Director

1970s

  1. 1974

    Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74

    Director

  2. 1971

    The Rolling Stones: The Marquee Club 1971

    Director

Produced 6

1990s

  1. 1997

    The Rolling Stones: Bridges to Babylon Tour '97-98

    Production Director

  2. Kidsongs: I Can Do It

    Executive Producer

  3. 1994

    Kidsongs: Country Sing-Along

    Executive Producer

  4. Mickey's Fun Songs: Campout at Walt Disney World

    Executive Producer

  5. 1990

    Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster

    Producer

Appearances2

2010s

  1. 2015

    The 10 Faces of Michael Jackson

    Self

2000s

  1. 2004

    The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody

    Self