Biography
Who is Don Was?
Early life and real name
Don Edward Fagenson was born in Detroit, United States, on September 13, 1952. He grew up listening to Detroit blues and jazz music, and he attended Oak Park High School. During his high school years, he became the lead singer and guitar player in a local rock band called the Saturns.
After finishing high school, Don attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor for one year before dropping out. As a teenager, he was heavily influenced by the counterculture of the 1960s.
How Don became famous
Using the stage name Don Was, he formed the group Was (Not Was) with his school friend David Weiss, who went by David Was. The band achieved commercial success during the 1980s by releasing four albums and several hit records.
Their biggest commercial hit was the song Walk the Dinosaur from the album What up, Dog? The group later reunited in 2008 to release a new album titled Boo! And went on tour.
Career highlights
Don has won six Grammy Awards throughout his career, including Producer of the Year in 1994. He produced Bonnie Raitt's album Nick of Time, which won Album of the Year in 1989. He also produced the Rolling Stones album Blue and Lonesome, which won a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album.
In addition to his production work, he has served as the president of Blue Note Records since 2011. He won an Emmy Award in 2014 for Outstanding Music Direction for his work on the television special The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles.
Personal life and family
Don Was is the son of Bill Fagenson, who was a World War II veteran and a Bronze Star Medal recipient. His sister is Nancy Potok, who served as the former Chief Statistician of the United States.
Don is married to Gemma Corfield, who is a former Virgin Records A and R executive and video director. Together, they have three sons, including a son named Tony.
Birthday and age
Don Was was born on September 13, 1952, which makes Don 74 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Don shares the date with 54 other famous people.
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