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.
Life and career
Gowers was born in West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland on 21 December 1940. 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.
Gowers died of an acute respiratory infection in Santa Monica, California, on 15 January 2023, at the age of 82.
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