Bruce Gowers
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).
Directing (46 movies)
Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line
1984
Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met
1986
George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?
1988
Eddie Murphy: Delirious
1983
Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours
1981
Fleetwood Mac: The Dance
1997
Paul McCartney: Unplugged
1991
Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74
1974
Britney Spears: Live and More!
2000
This Is Your Life: 30th Anniversary Special
1981
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
2001
Jerry Seinfeld: Stand-Up Confidential
1987
Paula Poundstone: Cats, Cops and Stuff
1990
The Doobie Brothers: Live At The Greek Theatre
1982
Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good
2000
Nine Inch Nails: Woodstock 94
1994
American Idol: The Search For A Superstar
2002
Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast
1997
The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert
1990
Kidsongs: I Can Do It
1997
Kidsongs: Country Sing-Along
1994
Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles)
2004
Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster
1990
Woodstock 94
1995
The Cure: MTV Unplugged
1991
Rush: Through the Camera Eye
1985
Kidsongs: A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm
1985
The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth
2010
Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory
1995
Bob Welch & Friends: Live from the Roxy
1981
Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard
1996
Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas
2004
Genius. A Night for Ray Charles
2004
Prince: The Hits Collection
1993
Sarah Brightman: La Luna - Live in Concert
2001
Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict
1993
Kidsongs: Very Silly Songs
1991
Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration
2000
Madonna: The Immaculate Collection
1990
Harry Anderson's Sideshow
1987
Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed
1990
Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted
1988
The Rolling Stones: The Marquee Club 1971
1971
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
1989
Primus: Woodstock 94
1994
Huey Lewis and the News: The Heart of Rock and Roll
1985
| Title | Year | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster | 1990 | Producer |
| Mickey's Fun Songs: Campout at Walt Disney World | 1994 | Executive Producer |
| Kidsongs: Country Sing-Along | 1994 | Executive Producer |
| Kidsongs: I Can Do It | 1997 | Executive Producer |