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

Award shows

Television specials

Music Comedy Miscellaneous specials

Videos

Selected music videos directed by Bruce Gowers:

Filmography

Documentaries

Television pilots

Awards

Grammy Award winner: Emmy Award winner : Emmy nominations: American Idol (2006, 2007), Genius: A Night for Ray Charles (2004), Fleetwood Mac: The Dance (1997) DGA Award winner: DGA Award nominations: American Idol (2006), Fleetwood Mac: The Dance (1997) Ace Award winner: Monitor Award winner: 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: Golden Harp Award winner: Finnan Games