Many people I know aren’t into watching music videos, they would prefer listening to the tracks only. Actually, I love watching video clips by bands and artists, they sometimes help me more to understand their performing style, music, and lyrics. Definitely, the music video directors have the main role behind the scenes to have such iconic videos by time. Let’s fine out!
1. Michael Bay
Sadly, his name is not recognized much, but when I mention movies like; Bad Boys and its sequel, Armageddon, The Rock, Pearl Harbor, Transformers film series and Friday the 13th, it might make a difference. Those mentioned movies are some of his greatest works; not only that, he worked and directed music videos for Aerosmith, Richard Marx, Slaughter, Lionel Richie, Winger, Styx, Chicago, Tina Turner and he was also the director of the remarkable rock ballad, ‘I’d Do Anything For Love (But I won’t Do That)’ by Meat Loaf.
2. Adam Dubin
15 years ago – or maybe more – when I saw ‘Nothing Else Matters’, I thought that was really cool! Few years later, I asked myself “Who made that video?” And then I knew it was Dubin who also directed the documentary film “A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica” which shows the process of making Metallica’s best selling album, Metallica a.k.a The Black Album. In 2013, Dubin directed the documentary film “Hit The Lights -The Making Of Metallica Through The Never” about the making of “Metallica Through The Never” starring Metallica and actor Dane DeHaan.
That guy is one of the guys who shaped rock n’ roll in music videos since the mid-60s till the mid 80s. Lindsay worked mainly with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, as he directed most of these bands hits like ‘Paint it Black’ and ‘Angie’ by The Stones, ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Revolution’ by The Beatles. Also, he has a long resume in cinema and TV up till today.
4. Samuel Bayer
Most of his music videos were honored in the VMAs and Music Video Production Association. Bayer worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Nirvana, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Garbage, The Rolling Stones, Rush, Aerosmith, Blink 182, Green Day, The Strokes and My Chemical Romance.
Michael Jackson, Guns N’ Roses, George Michael, AC/DC, Aerosmith,Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Elton John and Paul McCartney are some of the most recognized artists for Morahan works.
Although he doesn’t have a huge filmography list, he was the man behind the masterpieces music videos for Sepultura, Megadeth, My Dying Bride, COF, Mudvayne, SOAD, Fear Factory, Soulfly and many else.
7. Nigel Dick
Being a musician helped him a lot to create awesome music videos for rock artists and bands, such as; Paul McCartney, The Offspring, Amy Lee, Elton John, Nickelback,Guns N’ Roses, Oasis, Breaking Benjamin, Def Leppard, REM and Ozzy Osbourne. As well as believing in variety as he worked with Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Tina Turner, Britney Spears and Ricky Martin.
Mandler’s videography career started back in 2000. Since then, he worked with rock, R&B, pop and rap artists, such as; Lenny Kravitz, Lana Del Rey, Jay Z, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Shakira, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, John Mayer, John Legend, Enrique Iglesias, OneRepublic, Spice Girls, Fergie, Snoop Dogg and The Killers.
9. John Landis
Have you ever thought of who’s the man behind the legendary music video, ‘Thriller’? Landis, worked on music videos only with Michael Jackson, B.B. King and Paul McCartney. Also, he is known for films like “The Blues Brothers”, “An American Werewolf in London” and “Coming to America”.
10. Jonas Åkerlund
I decided to leave this man to the end of list in our first part. This man blows my mind with his works. Let me tell you that he directed for metal acts such as; Satyricon and Candlemass as well as for rock and heavy metal acts like Metallica, Paul McCartney and Maroon 5. Guess what? He also went for a different direction such as; Shaggy, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce and Anouk. Frankly, I like all his work whatever the genre is, as I believe variety proves that you are capable in showing all your hidden skills as sometimes sticking to one direction doesn’t show that, don’t you agree?
Not satisfied with my choices?
Name your favorites in comments below, or just wait for part two soon.
Edited by: NJ Bakr
