Bruce Gowers, Emmy, Grammy and DGA Award-Winning Director and Producer, Passes Away at 82

Bruce Gowers

Bruce Gowers, the beloved and enduringly successful Emmy, Grammy, MTV, and DGA Award-winning Director/Producer, died Sunday, January 15 in Santa Monica, California, from an acute respiratory infection. He was 82 years old. 

Gowers, who traveled the world bringing his great talents to major live events and TV specials, and was a groundbreaking music video director and co-creator of the long-running "Kidsongs" series, was born in West Kilbride, Scotland where his parents, Robert, an educator, and Violet, a homemaker, were briefly stationed during World War II. He grew up in Enfield, North London, and graduated from The Latymer School. Fascinated by radio and television from childhood, Gowers went on to attend the BBC Training College, and started his career at the BBC, where he learned the business from the ground up, as a cable puller, cameraman, and production manager. Staff Cameraman then Producing/Directing positions at the Rediffusion and London Weekend Television networks followed.

In 1975, Gowers directed the groundbreaking "Bohemian Rhapsody" video, helping not only launch Queen into rock superstardom, but also providing a defining moment in what would become the video music business. Gowers would go on to direct massively popular videos for countless music icons including Prince, the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, and John Mellencamp.

In the Seventies, Gowers was offered more career opportunities in American television, and relocated to the United States, where he met his wife Carol Rosenstein, on the Rod Stewart "Tonight's the Night" music video shoot. For the past 23 years, Gowers and Rosenstein resided in Malibu, California. Gowers would go on to direct and produce hundreds of major television events, episodes and award shows including "The Primetime Emmy Awards," "The Billboard Awards," and "The MTV Awards," and major TV series, including "American Idol" for eight seasons, winning an Emmy as Best Musical Variety Director in 2009. Gowers also won a DGA Award in 2004 for "Genius: A Night for Ray Charles," a Grammy for "Huey Lewis and the News: Heart of Rock and Roll," and an MTV Award for "Bohemian Rhapsody," and was nominated for dozens of other awards, including an Emmy and DGA for 1997's "Fleetwood Mac: The Dance."

Gowers always brought boundless enthusiasm, energy, passion and joy to his work. He loved and was loved by the crews that he worked with and was known far and wide for his generosity as a colleague, constantly encouraging and promoting the talented people on his team. Funny, irreverent, and wonderfully candid, Gowers will be remembered in countless legendary stories that will keep his charming spirit alive for many years to come. Gowers was always happiest in the control room, on a boat in the Bahamas, and of course, at home with the dogs, friends, and family.

Gowers is survived by his wife, Writer/Producer Carol Rosenstein, Fashion Designer daughter Katharine Polk, son Sean Gowers, who owns a transportation company, and four grandchildren - Sean Jr, Robert, Charlotte, and Layla - as well as his beloved bulldogs, Baby and Rocky and parrot Polly. Gowers is also survived by his former wife Charlene and was predeceased by first wife Jacqueline. 

A memorial service is being planned. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gowers' name to World Central Kitchen and Southern California Bulldog Rescue.

Gowers will be terribly missed and lovingly remembered by all those lucky enough to know him and learn from his extraordinary example.

Bruce Gowers

Bruce Gowers and family
Bruce Gowers with wife, Carol Rosenstein and daughter, Katharine Polk.

Bruce Gowers

Bruce Gowers and Carol Rosenstein

Bruce Gowers and Rod Stewart