Bruce_Gowers

Bruce Gowers

British television director and producer (1940–2023)

Bruce Gowers (21 December 1940 – 15 January 2023) was a British television director and producer, best known for his work on large-scale live music and event productions.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Bruce Gowers
Born	(1940-12-21)21 December 1940 West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland
Died	15 January 2023(2023-01-15) (aged 82) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Television director, producer
Website	brucegowers.com

Life and career

Gowers was born in West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland on 21 December 1940.^[5]^[6] He started his career in his native United Kingdom, where his music video for Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" brought him international recognition, leading to his relocation to the United States in the late 1970s.

His career included credits for the live episodes of American Idol (2001–2010) which he directed from its inception, and awards shows including the Emmys, the MTV Video Music 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. He also directed musical specials for Michael Jackson and the Jacksons, the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, and Britney Spears.^[7]

Gowers died of an acute respiratory infection in Santa Monica, California, on 15 January 2023, at the age of 82.^[8]

Television series

Music

American Idol (FOX) 2002–2007, 2009–2010

2009 Emmy Award Winner – Best Musical Variety Director. 5 Emmy Award nominations, DGA Award nominee

Celebrity Duets (FOX) 2006
Your Mama Don't Dance (Lifetime) 2008
So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) 2005
Pepsi Smash (WB) 2004
Big Break (Syndication) 1990
Dancin' to the Hits (Syndication) 30 episodes 1986–1987
Dick Clark Live (CBS) 1988–1989
Solid Gold (Paramount) 1985
Rock of the 80s (Showtime) – 1984 Ace Award Nominee
Britt Ekland's Jukebox (Syndication) 1979

Comedy

Whose Line Is It, Anyway? (ABC) 1998–2007
Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular (F/X) 1998

Kids

American Juniors (FOX) 2003
All That (Nickelodeon) 1999
The Amanda Show (Nickelodeon) 1999
Roundhouse (Nickelodeon) 1993–1994
The Kidsongs Television Show (called "The Kidsongs TV Show" in only season 1 (1987–1988)) (Public Television), 1987–1988, 1994–1995, 1997–1998

Misc.

The Spectacular World of Guinness Records (Syndication) 52 episodes, 1987–1989
This Is Your Life (NBC) 1983
We Interrupt This Week (PBS)
Headliners with David Frost (NBC) 1978

Award shows

The 57th & 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (ABC) 2005, 2007
People's Choice Awards (CBS) 2005-2009
The Billboard Awards (Fox) 1995 - 2006
Kids' Choice Awards (Nickelodeon & MTV Networks) 2005 - 2007, 1995, 1994
Teen Choice Awards (Fox) 2004-2009
Miss America (CMT) 2006, 2008
The World Music Awards (ABC) 2005, 2004
Tributo A Nuestros Heroes (Telemundo Network) 2004
Spike Video Game Awards (Spike TV) 2004
The American Music Awards (ABC) 2003, 2002, 2001
The Blockbuster Awards (UPN) 1996-2001
Academy of Country Music Awards (CBS) 2002, 2001
MTV Movie Awards 1992 - 2002
The 72nd Annual Academy Awards Pre-Show (ABC) 2002, 2000
Muhammad Ali 60th Birthday Celebration (CBS) 2002
My VH1 Awards (VH1) 2000
The MTV Video Music Awards (MTV & Syndication) 2000, 1995–1994, 1992-1988—Winner of the 1990 Monitor Award for Best Director, multiple Ace & Monitor Award nominations
The Essence Awards (CBS & Fox) 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 & 1992—1995 NAACP Image Award for Best Special
The ESPY Awards (ESPN, ABC) 1997, 1996 & 1995
The American Comedy Awards (ABC) 2000, 1999, 1998 & 1995
The AFI Salutes... (ABC) 2000, 1999
MTV's Fashionably Loud (MTV) 1998, 1997, 1996 & 1995
VH1 Fashion Awards (VH1) 1998, 1997 & 1996
1998 Skate, Rattle and Roll Championships (Fox) 1998
VH1 Honors (VH1) 1995, 1994
MTV European Music Awards (MTV) 1996, 1995, 1994
All Star Pro Sports Awards (ABC) 1990
American Video Awards (ABC) 1983, 1985–1986

Television specials

Music

Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years (CBS) 2001
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve (ABC) 2007, 2008
I Walk the Line: A Night for Johnny Cash (CBS) 2005
An All-Star Salute to Patti LaBelle: Live From Atlantis (UPN) 2005
Live 8 Philadelphia (MTV/VH1, ABC) 2005
Genius: A Night for Ray Charles (CBS) 2004 – Winner of the 2004 DGA Award for Best Musical Variety Director. Emmy Award Nominee, Best Director
Prince Musicology (PPV) 2004
Ultimate Manilow (CBS) 2002
All Star Tribute to Brian Wilson (TNT) 2001
NSYNC - Atlantis Concert 2001
Women Rock: Girls with Guitars (Lifetime) 2001, 2000
Experience Music Project (VH1) 2000 (2 nights)
Arista's 25th Anniversary (NBC) 2000
Sarah Brightman: La Luna Concert (PBS) 2000
Britney Spears in Hawaii (FOX) 2000
Britney Spears: There's No Place Like Home (FOX) 2000
A Home for the Holidays (CBS) 2001, 2000
Radio City Grand Re-Opening (FOX) 1999
Ricky Martin: One Night Only (CBS) 1999
American Express Concert in Central Park (UPN) 1999
L'Oreal Summer Music Mania (UPN) 1999
Fleetwood Mac: The Dance (MTV) 1997 B DGA & EMMY Nominee for Best Director
Rolling Stones: Bridges to Babylon (Pay Per View) 1997
Woodstock (Pay Per View) 1994
An American Reunion: The Lincoln Memorial Inaugural Concert (HBO) 1993
MTV'S Inaugural Gala Ball (MTV) 1993
Up-close: Paul McCartney (MTV & ABC) 1993
Rod Stewart Valentine Vagabond (Live Pay Per View Concert) 1992
Dwight Yokum (Live Pay Per View Concert) 1991
MTV Unplugged With Paul McCartney (MTV) 1991—Ace Award Nominee
Arista's 15th Anniversary "That's What Friends Are For" (CBS) 1990
Huey Lewis and the News (Showtime) 1985—Grammy Award winner for Best Director
Men at Work "Live in San Francisco" (HBO) 1984—Monitor Award winner
Soul Session: James Brown & Friends (Cinemax) – 1987 Ace Award for Best Director
Harry Belafonte: Don't Stop the Carnival (HBO) 1985
The Doobie Brothers Farewell Concert (Showtime) 1985
Rod Stewart, Tonight He's Yours (Syndication) 1981
Legends of Rock 'N Roll (Cinemax) 1989

Comedy

3 Cats From Miami (HBO) 1998
Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast (HBO) 1997
Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard (HBO) 1995
TV's All Time Classic Comedy (Fox) 1994
Dame Edna's Hollywood I, II & III (NBC) (Three 1 Hour Specials) 1992, 1991
Paul Rodriguez Special (Fox) 1992
The 14th Annual Young Comedians Show (HBO) 1991 with Richard Lewis
Paula Poundstone: Cats, Cops and Stuff (HBO) 1990 – Ace Award nominee 1991
Richard Lewis "I'm Doomed" (HBO) 1990 – Ace Award nominee 1990
Harry Anderson's Sideshow (NBC) 1987
This Is Your Life, 30th Anniversary Special (NBC) 1987
Richard Lewis: "I'm Exhausted" (HBO) 1988
George Carlin's "What Am I Doing in New Jersey?" (HBO) 1988
The 11th Annual Young Comedian's Special (HBO) 1988
Robin Williams, an Evening at The Met (HBO) – 1988 Monitor Award nominee and 1987 Ace Award nominee, both for Best Director
Harry Anderson "Hello Sucker" (Showtime) 1986
Jerry Seinfeld Special (HBO) 1987
Greater Tuna (HBO) 1984—Monitor Award Winner for Best Cable Program, Ace Award Nominee for Best Director
Billy Crystal - A Comic's Line (HBO) 1984
Richard Belzer Caught in the Act (Cinemax) 1984
Eddie Murphy Delirious (HBO) 1983

Miscellaneous specials

Explosion! (ABC) 1997
City Kids All-star Celebration (ABC) 1995
World of Entertainment (Syndication) 1982
All-Star Salute to Mother's Day (NBC) 1981
The II, III, IV & V International Guinness Book of World Records (ABC)
David Frost with The Shah of Iran (ABC) 1980

Videos

Selected music videos directed by Bruce Gowers:

More information Year, Song ...

Year	Song	Artist	Notes
1973	"Keep Yourself Alive"	Queen
1973	"Liar"
1975	"Bohemian Rhapsody"
	"I'm Not in Love"	10cc
	"In Dulce Jubilo"	Mike Oldfield
1976	"You're My Best Friend"	Queen
	"Somebody to Love"	Queen
	"Robbery, Assault, and Battery"	Genesis
	"Ripples..."
	"A Trick of the Tail"
	"I'm Mandy Fly Me"	10cc
	"Rockaria!"	Electric Light Orchestra
	"Hot Stuff"	The Rolling Stones
	"Hey Negrita"
	"Fool to Cry"
	"The Killing of Georgie"	Rod Stewart
	"Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)"
1977	"The First Cut Is the Deepest"
	"Tie Your Mother Down"	Queen
	"How Much Love"	Leo Sayer
	"Stayin' Alive"	The Bee Gees
	"How Deep is Your Love"	The Bee Gees
	"You're Insane"	Rod Stewart
	"You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)"
1978	"I Was Only Joking"
	"Hot Legs"
	"Baby Come Back"	Player	^[9]
	"Emotion"	Samantha Sang
	"Dust in the Wind"	Kansas
	"Lights"	Journey
	"Life Beyond L.A."	Ambrosia	^[10]
	"How Much I Feel"	Ambrosia	^[11]
	"I'm Every Woman"	Chaka Khan	^[12]
	"How You Gonna See Me Now"	Alice Cooper
	"Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)"	Styx
	"Sing for the Day"
	"I'm OK"
	"I Love the Nightlife"	Alicia Bridges
	"Love Don't Live Here Anymore"	Rose Royce
	"Reunited"	Peaches & Herb
	"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"	Rod Stewart
1979	"Ain't Love a Bitch"
	"Blondes (Have More Fun)"
	"Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'"	Journey
	"Lovin' You is Easy"
	"Just the Same Way"
	"Turn Me On"	The Tubes
	"TV is King"
	"Prime Time"
	"The Logical Song"	Supertramp
	"Goodbye Stranger"
	"Breakfast in America"
	"La dolce Vita"	Sparks
	"The Number One Song in Heaven"	Sparks
	"Dancing Jones"	Nicolette Larson
	"Small Paradise"	John Cougar
	"I Need a Lover"
	"Miami"
	"99"	Toto
	"Rock with You"	Michael Jackson
1980	"She's Out of My Life"	Michael Jackson
	"Hydra"	Toto
	"St. George and the Dragon"
	"All Us Boys"
	"Ride Like the Wind"	Christopher Cross
	"This Time"	John Cougar
1981	"Ain't Even Done with the Night"	John Cougar
	"Tom Sawyer"	Rush
	"Vital Signs"
	"Limelight"
	"Controversy"	Prince
	"Sexuality"	Prince
	"Nightwalker"	Gino Vannelli
	"Winning"	Santana
	"Searchin'"
	"I Love You Too Much"
	"E Papa Re"
	"Changes"
	"Over and Over"
	"A World Without Heroes"	KISS
1982	"I"	KISS
	"Keep the Fire Burnin'"	REO Speedwagon
	"Sweet Time"
	"Girl With the Heart of Gold"
	"I'll Follow You"
	"The Key"
	"Back in My Heart Again"
	"Stillness of the Night"
	"Good Trouble"
	"1999"	Prince
	"Jack and Diane"	John Cougar
	"Hurts So Good"	John Cougar
1983	"Waiting for Your Love"	Toto
1984	"The Heart of Rock & Roll"	Huey Lewis and the News
1984	"I Don't Want to Talk About It"	Rod Stewart
1987	"In My Dreams"	REO Speedwagon
1993	"People Everyday"	Arrested Development
1996	"Why Does It Hurt So Bad"	Whitney Houston
2005	"(Is This the Way to) Amarillo"	Tony Christie and Peter Kay

Filmography

Documentaries

Hello Dalí (1973)
Finnan Games (1975)

Television pilots

George Lopez Talk Show (WAD Productions) 2008
Glam Me Up (CW Network) 2008
Roundhouse (Nickelodeon) 1992
America's Funniest People (ABC) 1990
The Kidsongs TV Show (Syndication) 1988
Dancin' to The Hits (Syndication) 1986
Footlight Follies 1988
Double Takes 1987

Awards

This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2021)

Grammy Award winner:

Huey Lewis and the News (Showtime) 1985 – Best Director long form music video

Emmy Award winner :

American Idol (FOX) 2009 – Best Musical Variety Director
Hello Dalí (1973) – Documentary Director
The 4th International Guinness Book of World Records; (1982) – Editor

Emmy nominations: American Idol (2006, 2007), Genius: A Night for Ray Charles (2004), Fleetwood Mac: The Dance (1997)

DGA Award winner:

Genius: A Night for Ray Charles (CBS) 2004 – Best Musical Variety Director

DGA Award nominations: American Idol (2006), Fleetwood Mac: The Dance (1997)

Ace Award winner:

Soul Session: James Brown & Friends (Cinemax) – 1987 Best Director
Greater Tuna (HBO) 1984 Best Director

Monitor Award winner:

Men at Work "Live in San Francisco" (HBO) 1984 Best Director
The MTV Video Music Awards (MTV & Syndication) 1990 Best Director

Monitor Award nominations: The MTV Video Music Awards, Robin Williams: An Evening at The Met (HBO) 1988, The Kidsongs TV Show (PBS) 1988

NAACP Image Award winner:

The Essence Awards 1995: Best Special

Golden Harp Award winner: Finnan Games

References

[1]
[2]
^{[permanent dead link]}
[3]
"MVDbase". Mvdbase.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
[4]
"Bruce Gowers Biography ((?)-)". Flmreference.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
[5]
"Bruce Gowers obituary". The Times. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
[6]
"Bruce Gowers". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
[7]
"Bruce Gowers obituary". the Guardian. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
[8]
Evans, Greg (17 January 2023). "Bruce Gowers Dies: Groundbreaking Music Video Director Of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" Was 82". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
[9]
"Baby Come Back". IMDb.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
[10]
"Life Beyond L.A." IMDb.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
[11]
"How Much I Feel". IMDb.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
[12]
Khan, Chaka. "I'm Every Woman". Mvdbase.com. Retrieved 8 December 2014.

External links

Official website
Bruce Gowers at IMDb
Bruce Gowers discography at Discogs

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