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Don Was

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Data updated on 2025-05-31 15:38:46 UTC
Don Was is a founding member of Was (Not Was), which he formed with childhood friend David Was (Weiss) in suburban Detroit. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, that band released four studio albums that blended soul, funk, R&B, rock and dance music with satiric and unusual lyrics. Their 1988 album, What Up, Dog?, spawned the U.S. and UK hit singles “Spy In The House Of Love” and “Walk The Dinosaur.”

As the President of Blue Note Records since 2011, Was is both the company’s leader and an ambassador for its music.

Was has been honored with numerous Grammy Awards for his production work: In 1989 for Bonnie Raitt’s classic Nick Of Time, in 1994 as Producer Of The Year, in 2009 for Ziggy Marley’s Family Time, in 2018 for The Rolling Stones’ Blue & Lonesome, and in 2019 for Intocable’s percepción.

He was awarded his first Emmy in 2014 as musical director for The Beatles: The Night That Changed America, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the group’s first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Don was awarded a BAFTA (British Academy Film Awards) in 1995 for Best Film Music for his work on Backbeat, and also composed its acclaimed score. That same year, Was directed the documentary film, I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times, which focused on the brilliant gifts of Brian Wilson.

He has recently toured throughout the U.S. as bassist in trio Bob Weir and Wolf Bros, and served as musical director and bassist for a host of major tribute concerts.

Total plays

1.9 million
Updated on 2025-05-31

Social media links

Monthly listeners

105

Followers

787

Top Cities

  1. United States
    4 listeners
  2. United States
    3 listeners
  3. United States
    3 listeners
  4. United States
    3 listeners
  5. United States
    3 listeners

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Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Bad Trick
Bad Trick
1,828,038 4:02 2020-07-10
Lay Down Your Arms
Lay Down Your Arms
27,642 3:30 1995-01-01
You Asked, I Came
You Asked, I Came
1,432 10:11 1994-01-01
Don's Prelude (feat. Don Was)
Don's Prelude (feat. Don Was)
< 1000 0:16 2021-04-23
Darkroom
Darkroom
< 1000 7:56 1994-01-01
What Do They Call This Drink?
What Do They Call This Drink?
< 1000 8:25 1994-01-01
He's Wearing My Bathrobe
He's Wearing My Bathrobe
< 1000 10:12 1994-01-01
Just Read The Poems
Just Read The Poems
< 1000 10:16 1994-01-01
You Asked, I Came
You Asked, I Came
< 1000 9:23 1994-01-01
He's Wearing My Bathrobe (End Title)
He's Wearing My Bathrobe (End Title)
< 1000 3:22 1994-01-01

New releases

Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Backbeat
Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Backbeat
1994-01-01
[Virgin Catalog]