Los Angeles-based Cultural Weekly calls Don Was "legendary" for his 35 years of producing music for such deities as Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Iggy Pop, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, B.B. King, John Mayer and Elton John, among others.
Not bad for a University of Michigan dropout.
We are not going to disagree with any glowing evaluation of Was' career, but his selections of Detroit's influential music over the decades are another matter.
Was, who grew up in Oak Park, picked six "seminal" tunes for Cultural Weekly's all-Detroit issue. They are:
BLUES: Boogie Chillen – John Lee Hooker
ROCK: Kick Out The Jams – MC5
JAZZ: Mode For Joe – Joe Henderson
MOTOWN: What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
HIP HOP/RAP: Lose Yourself – Eminem
TECHNO: Big Fun – Inner City
The songs come from six genres that represent the music of the Motor City, along with a brief commentary on each selection, according to Cultural Weekly.
Remember that "seminal" means influencing what comes later. But let the debate begin.
Click on the link to Cultural weekly for Was' comments and links to videos.
