Michigan's Musical Connection: Don Fagenson

Today is Saturday and it is time for another installment in my series called, Michigan's Musical Connection. This episode features an artist whose music dances through the entire musical genre spectrum. This artist has achieved critical and popular success on both sides of the soundboard.

From Wiki -

Don Was (born Donald Fagenson on September 13, 1952 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American musician and a music and record producer.

Fagenson 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. 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), making several albums in the 1980s before disbanding in 1993. However, the group has reunited for performing and recording, with two albums scheduled to be released in 2005.

Don Was has earned recognition as a capable record producer and has produced for numerous singers including Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Glenn Frey, Iggy Pop, Khaled, Jackson Browne, and several albums for Bonnie Raitt including her Nick of Time album that won the 1990 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Was has worked with such bands as the Rolling Stones, The B-52's, Barenaked Ladies and others. He served as music director and/or consultant for several motion pictures such as The Country Bears, The Rainmaker, and Hope Floats.

In 1995, Don Was earned a Grammy Award for Producer of the Year.

He is the father of Eve 6 drummer Tony Fagenson.

As I am writing this entry I am listening to a Was (Not Was) tape to aid in capturing the spirit perhaps. One thing that I am taken by while listening is that Don Was could almost be considered a niche artist but one that occupied many niches. But more about Was (Not Was) will be the subject of a future installment. I hope this whet your appetite until then.

Update 9/03/06: Bonus video included now - This clip features Was Not Was via YouTube.