Was was born in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Oak Park High School in the Detroit suburb of Oak Park, then attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor but dropped out after the first year. He later trained at the Recording Institute of Detroit for a time in the mid 70's. A journeyman musician, he grew up listening to the Detroit blues sound and the jazz music of John Coltrane and Miles Davis.
Using the stage name "Don Was", he formed the group Was (Not Was) with school friend David Weiss (David Was). The group found commercial success in the 1980s - releasing four albums and logging several hit records. A jazz/R&B album of Hank Williams covers, "Forever Is A Long Long Time" was released in 1996, under the name Orquestra Was. In 2008, Was (Not Was) reunited for a highly acclaimed new album and tour.
Don Was has earned his greatest recognition as a highly successful record producer and has produced for numerous artists including *Bob Dylan *The Rolling Stones *Kris Kristofferson *George Clinton *Randy Newman *Carly Simon *Paul Westerberg *George Michael *Bob Seger *Glenn Frey *Iggy Pop *The Go *Khaled *Stevie Nicks *Solomon Burke *Travis Tritt *Brian Wilson *Roy Orbison *Waylon Jennings *B.B. King *Jackson Browne *Ziggy Marley *Al Green *Garth Brooks *Ringo Starr *Richie Sambora *Lyle Lovett *Joe Cocker *Willie Nelson *Elton John *The B-52's *Barenaked Ladies *The Black Crowes *The Presidents of the United States of America *Hootie & The Blowfish *Ofra Haza *Jaguares *Cristina *Amos Lee *Poison *The Knack *Old Crow Medicine Show *Stone Temple Pilots *Todd Snider
He also produced several albums for Bonnie Raitt including her Nick of Time album that won the 1990 Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
He served as music director and/or consultant for several motion pictures such as Thelma and Louise, The Rainmaker, Hope Floats, Phenomenon, Tin Cup, Honeymoon in Vegas, 8 Seconds, Switch, The Freshman, Days of Thunder, Michael, Pret-a-Porter, Boys on the Side, Toy Story and The Paper.
In 1995, Don Was earned a Grammy Award for Producer of the Year. In 1997, he directed and produced a documentary, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, about former-Beach Boy Brian Wilson. The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and won the San Francisco Film Festival's Golden Gate Award. He also received the British Academy Award (BAFTA) for Best Original Score in recognition of his compositions for the film Backbeat.
In 2005, the famous Italian bluesman, Zucchero, called on Was to produce his new studio album 'Fly'. Was also produced "Amen" and "Nel cosi blu" (a cover of Procol Harum's "A Salty Dog",) both included in Zucchero's 'All The Best'.
Don is the father of Eve 6 drummer Tony Fagenson. He later became the father of Henry and Solomon Fagenson. He is also the brother of public official Dr. Nancy Fagenson Potok, former Principal Associate Director and Chief Financial Officer of the US Census Bureau and currently Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs in the Obama Administration.
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