Condolences: Joe Wade Formicola

We’ve lost another great one — longtime Detroit radio personality Joe Wade Formicola died Tuesday evening, May 30. We understand that Formicola had just finished his syndicated afternoon show on Local Radio Networks’ (LRN) 24/7 Hot Country format, when he was suddenly taken ill. Formicola famously ruled the morning roost at Country WWWW (W4)/Detroit from 1987 to 1995 and was honored as CMA Personality of the Year in 1988. In 1995, he crossed the street to CBS Radio Country WYCD. Formicola was also syndicated on Westwood One’s Country format from 2010-2015. Earlier in his career Formicola programmed KENR/Houston and was OM/PD of WKIX/Raleigh.

Tragically, Formicola was just three weeks away from his highly anticipated (and well deserved) induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame. His death marks the second CRHOF inductee to die prior to the ceremony — his former WYCD colleague Linda Lee passed away in March after a long battle with cancer. In a Facebook post, WYCD OM/PD Tim Roberts commented, “My heart is saddened by the passing of another great of the WYCD Family as we learned today that longtime Detroit morning host Joe Wade Formicola passed away last night. Joe and I worked together years ago, and of course, he worked with Linda here.”

In a statement, Steve Swick, CEO of Local Radio Networks (LRN) said of Formicola, “Joe was one of the great ones across radio dials and will sadly be missed, both personally and on-air with Local Radio Networks.” As always, “Radio’s Best Friend” Art Vuolo immediately swung into action, dug into his extensive video archives and assembled a really nice tribute to Joe. Information on memorial services will be released soon.