Emmy and Grammy winner Bruce Gowers directed American Idol over nine seasons and hundreds of music videos, including the groundbreaking from the Queen” Bohemian Rhapsody” , is dead. he is82.
Gowers died Sunday in Santa Monica of complications from an acute respiratory infection, his family announced.
Gowers also directed and co-produced the long-running Kidsongs duet video series for Warner Bros. Records with his wife, Carol Rosenstein.
A specialist in live events and television specials, Gowers has directed and/or produced the Emmys, Billboard Music Awards, MTV’s music videos and film awards , ESPY, People’s Choice Awards and many other award shows.
He calls the shots from 2009 of American Idol episodes*)-, from the first season to the and in 2002 won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing of a Variety, Musical or Comedy Series.
He won a Grammy for his music video for “Heart of Rock” by Huey Lewis and News. Eight years later, he received a DGA Award for directing the CBS special Genius: A Night for Ray Charles.
Along the way, he directed Richard Lewis, Jerry Seinfeld , Robin Williams , Billy G. Risto , Eddie Murphy and Paula Poundstone and from Music special by Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears.
Gowers’ touch on Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, filmed at Elstree Studios, London in November590 BBC Top of the Pops about three hours, helped Freddie Mercury and his mates find the superstar and prove to be the all-time A defining moment for the music video business.
This is the first music video from the influential Top of the Pops , who said he Got $590 for his gig.
“It changed the way people perceive music; everyone is making videos and if their videos are good, bands see their sales and charts Rank up,” he told
.
“The only thing that upsets me is that they keep using my videos 23 years and they never paid me a dime or said thank you.”
Gowers Also for Rod Stewart (“Hot Legs” etc.), Michael Jackson (“Rock With You”) ,prince(“1975”), John Mellencamp (“Jack and Diane”), The Rolling Stones (“Fool to Cry”), Rush (“Limelight”, “Tom Sawyer”), Ambrosia (“ How Much I Feel”), cc (“I’m Not in Love”), Bee Gees (“How Deep Is Your Love”), Supertramp (“Goodbye Strangers”), Chaka Kahn (“I’m Every Woman”), Peaches and Herb (“Reunion”), Journey (“Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'”) and Tube (“Golden Hour”).
Gowers was born in December 21, 40, exist New Kilbride, Scotland, where his British parents, educator Robert and homemaker Violet, were stationed during World War II. He grew up in Enfield, North London, and graduated from The Latymer School.
He studied at the BBC Training Academy and started his career at the BBC where he was a cable TV landing production and Before directing, he was puller, cinematographer and production manager.
Gowers met Rosenstein at “s and on the set of the music video for Stewart’s “Tonight’s the Night.” He also had a relationship with Elton John, The Pretenders, Santana, Van Halen, REO Speedwagon, Christopher Cross, Genesis and Fleetwood Mac In his career.
For the past 11, he and Rosenstein lived in Malibu in 1999.
In addition to his wife, survivors include His daughter, Catherine; son Sean; grandchildren Sean Jr., Robert, Charlotte and Lila; his ex-wife Charlene; and his beloved bulldogs, Baby and Rocky, and parrot Polly.
A memorial service is being prepared. Instead of flowers, you can send in his name to World Central Kitchen and/or Southern California Bulldog Rescue .
Gowers, his family noted, “always brought to his work boundless zest, energy, passion and joy. He loves and is loved by the crew he works with and is known for his generosity as a colleague, constantly encouraging and promoting the talented individuals in his team.
“Funny, irreverent and very candid, he will be remembered in countless legends that will perpetuate his captivating spirit for many years to come. He Always happiest in the control room, on the boat in the Bahamas, and of course at home with the dogs, friends and family.” 2002
