Bruce Gowers

Directing

Bruce Gowers

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

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).

Acting credits

Behind the camera

Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration poster
8.0

Celebrating the 30 year anniversary of Michael Jackson's solo career, this legendary performance took place on September 10, 2001.

Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration

2001

Eddie Murphy: Delirious poster
7.6

Taped live and in concert at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. in August, 1983, Eddie Murphy: Delirious captures Eddie Murphy's wild and outrageous stand-up comedy act, which he performed in New York and eighteen other cities across the U.S. to standing-room-only audiences. Eddie's comedy was groundbreaking, completely new, razor sharp and definitely funny.Eddie Murphy pontificates in his own vulgarly hilarious fashion on everything from bizarre sexual fantasies to reliving the family barbecue, and is peppered with Eddie's one-of-a-kind wit. Laugh along as Eddie reminiscences of hot childhood days and the ice cream man intermixed with classic vocal parodies of top American entertainers.Experience Eddie Murphy at his best, live and red hot! Delirious! Uncensored and Uncut!

Eddie Murphy: Delirious

1983

Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles) poster
8.5

Musicology Live 2004ever was a 2004 tour by Prince in North America to promote his Musicology album. The tour lasted from 27 March – 9 September 2004 and covered 96 dates throughout the United States and Canada, fetching a significant profit for Prince. It was attended by 1.47 million people in 2004, and was the top grossing tour of 2004 taking in $87.4 million Also, it involves Prince schooling people to back in the day music.This tour is also family-friendly along with the One Nite Alone...Tour. There are clean lyrics and no explicit ones.The tour is R&B themed along with soul, rock, funk, and pop. Rose Ann Dimalanta is also another touring keyboardist and vocalist for this tour. Candy Dulfer is also the comic foil for this tour though she plays saxophone and lends her vocal talents.

Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles)

2004

Madonna: The Immaculate Collection poster
8.6

The Immaculate Collection is the first commercially released greatest videos compilation by singer Madonna. Released on November 13, 1990 to accompany the audio CD, it contained hits spanning 1983-1990. The collection won "Best Long Form Video" category at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards. Includes the following videos: 1. Lucky Star 2. Borderline 3. Like a Virgin 4. Material Girl 5. Papa Don't Preach 6. Open Your Heart 7. La Isla Bonita 8. Like a Prayer 9. Express Yourself 10. Cherish 11. Oh Father 12. Vogue 13. Vogue (1990 MTV Awards Show Performance)

Madonna: The Immaculate Collection

1990

Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory poster
8.4

This compilation features 10 of Michael Jackson's greatest video hits, including "Billie Jean," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Black or White," "Rock With You" and others. -Includes the never before seen 18 minute version of "Bad". Directed by Martin Scorsese. Featuring Wesley Snipes. -9:30 Long Version of "The Way You Make Me Feel". -"Black Or White"- short film "Panther" version -"thriller"- "monstrous masterpiece" the ultimate "music movie" 14 minutes of horrific fun by director John Landis. -"remember The Time"- directed by John Singleton (Higher Learning, Boyz N The Hood, Shaft),features Eddie Murphy and Magic Johnson.

Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory

1995

Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast poster
7.0

Roast of Rodney Dangerfield recorded in Aspen on his 75th birthday.

Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast

1997

Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line poster
4.3

In this concert, a take-off on the play "A Chorus Line," comic Billy Crystal uses the premise of auditions for a Broadway musical to play various characters trying out for the parts.

Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line

1984

Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration poster
7.0

Arista's greatest recording artists of the last 25 years gather for this May 15th concert in honor of the record label's 25th anniversary. The highly significant place that Arista Records holds in rock history is highlighted here by the high quality of the music performances and the excitement of the celebrities who introduce each segment. Packed with celebrity guests and classic music, this is a once-in-a-lifetime concert.

Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration

2000

Britney Spears: Live and More! poster
8.3

Watch 'Princess of Pop' Britney Spears cavorting in the sun and surf in "Live and More!" Part concert video and part travelogue, this fun-filled tv special features eight songs performed live on Hawaii's Waikiki Beach in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans, as seen originally aired on Fox. These songs are interspersed with clips of Britney's down time in Hawaii. Completing this grab bag are three music videos and clips from her "Saturday Night Live" appearances.

Britney Spears: Live and More!

2000

Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74 poster
8.1

For long-time fans, this may be the most outstanding concert by Queen. The reason? It gives a perfect overview of an early Queen presentation. The material, the costumes, and the performance of the members are really great and supported by the hilarious conversational approach of a young Freddie Mercury. In one of the last interviews, the singer Freddie Mercury said that the way he looked in those days was ridiculous; many would argue. The band looked very theatrical and outrageous. That's the way that the orthodox, good old fashion Queen fan likes it more, so it's joyful to see the careful treatment of the performance and the power of the Queen sound when all the members of the band sing together.

Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74

1974

Genius. A Night for Ray Charles poster
7.4

A meld of legendary performers and contemporary artists of today who have been influenced by Ray's music perform in this concert extravaganza.

Genius. A Night for Ray Charles

2004

Fleetwood Mac: The Dance poster
7.8

Recorded live at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, over May 22-24 of 1997, Fleetwood Mac performs their greatest hits – including the classics 'Rhiannon', 'Everywhere', 'Dreams', 'Don't Stop' and 'Landslide' – and several new songs.

Fleetwood Mac: The Dance

1997

Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed poster
7.0

Taped in Chicago for HBO in 1990. The sun's too bright, the traffic's going to be bad, there's too many people out there... It's just easier to sit back on the couch and laugh with Richard Lewis.

Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed

1990

Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted poster
8.0

The sun's too bright, the traffic's going to be bad, there's too many people out there... It's just easier to sit back on the couch and laugh with Richard Lewis.

Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted

1988

Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met poster
8.2

In this hilarious stand up comedy, Robin Williams is energetic, witty and again hilarious. It's the number one stand up comedy of all time.

Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met

1986

The 14th Annual Young Comedians Show poster
NR

Richard Lewis hosts HBO's 14th annual comedy showcase for young comedians.

The 14th Annual Young Comedians Show

1991

No artwork available
NR

30th anniversary special of This is Your Life, hosted by David Frost.

This Is Your Life: 30th Anniversary Special

1981

Legends of Rock 'n' Roll poster
9.0

Are you ready for some old-time rock and roll?! Then you are ready for the masters, the originators, the men who made the music, the "Legends of Rock 'n' Roll Live." Join the "Godfather of Soul" James Brown, "The Killer" Jerry Lee Lewis, "Mr. Blueberry Hill" Fats Domino, "Hey" Bo Diddley, the "Genius" Ray Charles, "King of the Blues" B.B. King and "Tutti Frutti" Little Richard as they raise the roof "old school style." There's nothing like the originals, and this concert proves it once and for all! Songs: Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, I Feel Good [I Got You] (James Brown), Bo Diddley, I'm a Man (Bo Diddley), Mess Around, I'm a Fool For You (Ray Charles), Great Gosh a' Mighty (Little Richard), The Wild One [Real Wild Child], Great Balls of Fire, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (Jerry Lee Lewis), I'm Ready, Blueberry Hill (Fats Domino), Let the Good Times Roll, How Blue Can You Get? (B.B. King), All-Star Jam (Company).

Legends of Rock 'n' Roll

1989

Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours poster
NR

Rod Stewart performs 20 full length songs in this concert special.

Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours

1981

Rod Stewart Vagabond Heart Tour poster
NR

Recorded at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on February 9, 1992, and released as Rod Stewart – Vagabond Heart Tour on VHS and Laserdisc in August 1992.

Rod Stewart Vagabond Heart Tour

1992

Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good poster
8.6

This DVD includes the following perfomances: If You Had My Love (1999 VH-1 Fashion Awards), If You Had My Love (video) Madison Square Garden Performance with Marc Anthony, No me Ames (video), Let's get Loud (1999 Women's World Cup), Waiting for Tonight (megamix video), If You Had My Love (1999 Blockbuster Music Awards), Baila (video), Feelin' So Good (video), Plus exclusive interviews from family and friends.

Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good

2000

George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey? poster
7.4

George Carlin changes his act by bringing politics into the act, but also talks about the People he can do without, Keeping People Alert, and Cars and Driving part 2.

George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?

1988

The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth poster
7.5

On the 30th June 1990 in the grounds of Knebworth House a concert was staged to raise funds for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and the Brit School For Performing Arts. It has since been heralded as the "best British rock concert of all time". The breathtaking performing line-up was drawn entirely from acts who had been recipients of the prestigious Sliver Clef Award presented annually by Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy for outstanding services to the British Music Industry. All the artists gave their time and performances for free in order to support the charity and this 20th Anniversary deluxe edition will continue to raise funds so that they can continue their invaluable work. For the SD Blu-ray release the footage has been newly restored and has audio in DTS-HD Master Audio and LPCM Stereo to present this legendary concert in the best possible sound and picture quality.

The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth

2010

American Idol: The Search For A Superstar poster
8.0

How do you turn a talent search into a phenomenon? Simple. You let America be the judge. In the summer of 2002, that's exactly what producer Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment along with FremantleMedia did for Fox Television. Beginning with an open call for auditions in seven cities across the country, American Idol judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell narrowed a field of over 10,000 pop singer wannabes to one American Idol.

American Idol: The Search For A Superstar

2002