Bruce Gowers

Bruce Gowers

Directing · Born 1940-12-21 · West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland

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).

As cast

As director

The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth
The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth 2010
Director
No poster
I Walk the Line: A Night for Johnny Cash 2005
Director
No poster
Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas 2004
Director
Genius. A Night for Ray Charles
Genius. A Night for Ray Charles 2004
Director
Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles)
Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles) 2004
Director
American Idol: The Search For A Superstar
American Idol: The Search For A Superstar 2002
Director
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration 2001
Director
Sarah Brightman: La Luna - Live in Concert
Sarah Brightman: La Luna - Live in Concert 2001
Director
Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good
Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good 2000
Director
Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration
Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration 2000
Director
Britney Spears: Live and More!
Britney Spears: Live and More! 2000
Director
Fleetwood Mac: The Dance
Fleetwood Mac: The Dance 1997
Director
Kidsongs: I Can Do It
Kidsongs: I Can Do It 1997
Director
Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast
Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast 1997
Director
No poster
Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard 1996
Director
Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory
Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory 1995
Director
Woodstock 94
Woodstock 94 1995
Director
Kidsongs: Country Sing-Along
Kidsongs: Country Sing-Along 1994
Director
Nine Inch Nails: Woodstock 94
Nine Inch Nails: Woodstock 94 1994
Director
Primus: Woodstock 94
Primus: Woodstock 94 1994
Director
Prince: The Hits Collection
Prince: The Hits Collection 1993
Director
Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict
Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict 1993
Director
Paul McCartney: Unplugged
Paul McCartney: Unplugged 1991
Director
The Cure: MTV Unplugged
The Cure: MTV Unplugged 1991
Director
Kidsongs: Very Silly Songs
Kidsongs: Very Silly Songs 1991
Director
Paula Poundstone: Cats, Cops and Stuff
Paula Poundstone: Cats, Cops and Stuff 1990
Director
Madonna: The Immaculate Collection
Madonna: The Immaculate Collection 1990
Director
Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed
Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed 1990
Director
Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster
Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster 1990
Director
The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert
The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert 1990
Director
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll 1989
Director
Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted
Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted 1988
Director
George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?
George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey? 1988
Director
Harry Anderson's Sideshow
Harry Anderson's Sideshow 1987
Director
Jerry Seinfeld: Stand-Up Confidential
Jerry Seinfeld: Stand-Up Confidential 1987
Director
Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met
Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met 1986
Director
Kidsongs: A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm
Kidsongs: A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm 1985
Director
Huey Lewis and the News: The Heart of Rock and Roll
Huey Lewis and the News: The Heart of Rock and Roll 1985
Director
Rush: Through the Camera Eye
Rush: Through the Camera Eye 1985
Director
Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line
Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line 1984
Director
Eddie Murphy: Delirious
Eddie Murphy: Delirious 1983
Director
The Doobie Brothers: Live At The Greek Theatre
The Doobie Brothers: Live At The Greek Theatre 1982
Director
Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours
Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours 1981
Director
No poster
This Is Your Life: 30th Anniversary Special 1981
Director
No poster
Bob Welch & Friends: Live from the Roxy 1981
Director
Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74
Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74 1974
Director
The Rolling Stones: The Marquee Club 1971
The Rolling Stones: The Marquee Club 1971 1971
Director