Celebrated producer, musician and WDET host Don Was is being honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters by Wayne State University in recognition of his profound contributions to Detroit’s sound and art as a whole.

Was has earned six Grammys for producing and musicianship. He’s also been recognized for his work as a filmmaker, composer and more with a British Academy Award, Emmy and other honors. Was has lead the jazz label Blue Notes Records as company president since 2011.

With his many international accomplishments, Was keeps Detroit front and center, invigorating the cultural scene with his yearly performances at the Concert of Colors and his work with the talented Pan-Detroit Ensemble.

WDET is grateful to have him behind the mic every Friday night on The Don Was Motor City Playlist alongside Ann Delisi, where he shares insights, stories about the city’s music scene and expertly selected songs with a rapt audience. The show recently celebrated five years on air.

The honorary degree from the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts at Wayne State University further highlights his extraordinary accomplishments in the arts and his lifelong commitment to Detroit. Join us in congratulating Don Was on this well-deserved honor.

Hear from Don himself, talking about his career and insights about the arts today on The Metro.

This month marks a milestone at WDET as the Don Was Motor City Playlist celebrates five years on air.  

Don Was and co-host Ann Delisi have delivered crate after crate of deep cuts and hits since 2021, helping listeners discover new favorite tracks and providing  stories about Detroit’s cultural history every Friday night.  

The show is a love letter to Detroit artists and a hub for all genres and musicians.  

Personal history of our hosts

Was and Delisi got to know each other while working on the Concert of Colors and cultivated a relationship that made them well-prepared for this powerhouse program. Delisi’s 35+ years of insights and experience as a broadcaster, combined with Was’ storytelling and internal archive of tunes, make this segment one of the most unique Detroit has to offer. 

Was, the six-time Grammy Award-winning Detroit native has done it all; quite frankly, there may be no music-related task too Herculean a feat for him to dip his hand in.  

He began his creative endeavors at Oak Park High School where formed his first band, The Saturns. But it wasn’t until he partnered with David Weiss to form Was (Not Was) that his talents were fully realized by the public with hits like “Walk the Dinosaur.”  

Following the band’s hiatus, Was became a successful producer, working with The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Willie Nelson and more. In 1995, he even received the Grammy for Producer of the Year.  

Delisi’s also a force to be reckoned with. She’s hosted Ann Delisi’s Essential Music program since 2009, focusing on creating a platform for local artists and spotlighting musical gems, both old and new.  

Delisi has interviewed a plethora of the greats, from David Bowie to Iggy Pop—she always keeps us on our toes with our ears pressed to the speakers.  

She’s also hosted Backstage Pass, a Detroit Public Television show about arts and culture in the city. In 2023, Delisi was presented with the Spirit of Detroit for her work in uplifting artists.  

Now, Was and Delisi combine their knowledge and lived experiences into one of Detroit’s funkiest radio shows. We couldn’t be prouder to host it here on WDET.

Here’s to five wonderful years of the Don Was Motor City Playlist!