Joe Gagnon

Joe Gagnon, known to generations of radio listeners as “The Appliance Doctor,” died Thursday (8/13) at age 84. Gagnon built a broadcasting career that combined appliance expertise, consumer advocacy, and practical advice, becoming a familiar voice on 760 WJR-AM (Detroit) and radio stations across the country for more than 25 years.  He was a familiar weekend voice to listeners throughout Michigan and the station's far-reaching nighttime coverage area.

Gagnon’s radio success grew from his extensive experience in the appliance industry and his work in consumer affairs. Through his programs, newspaper columns, and two books, he helped consumers make informed purchasing decisions, avoid unnecessary repairs, and recognize fraudulent business practices. He also served as a fraud investigator for Detroit Consumer Affairs and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, bringing attention to consumer issues that reached a national audience.

His radio work focused not simply on repairing refrigerators, washers and other household equipment, but on helping consumers make informed purchases, avoid unnecessary repairs and recognize questionable business practices. His consumer advocacy also reached beyond broadcasting: he worked as a fraud investigator for Detroit Consumer Affairs and the Michigan Attorney General's office; wrote newspaper columns, authored two books, and helped bring attention to consumer issues that received national television coverage.

In 2002, Michigan enacted the Joe Gagnon Appliance Repair Act, named in recognition of his consumer-protection efforts. In his later years, Gagnon remained part of the WJR lineup as host of The Home & Appliance Show, taking listener calls and dispensing the practical, sometimes humorous advice that had become his trademark. He was joined on the program by his longtime producer and second microphone, Donald “The Hammer” Schuster. The program continued a broadcasting relationship with WJR that stretched back roughly three decades and made Joe Gagnon one of the station's enduring specialty-program personalities and a uniquely recognizable voice in Detroit radio.

Michigan broadcaster Bob Burnham, who worked with Gagnon at WCAR-AM, told the MAB that, "Joe was a natural his very first day on air at WCAR-AM. In person, he was the nicest guy exactly like on-air persona. Susan McGraw was often his WCAR board operator (McGraw today is the General Manager of WHFR-FM at Henry Ford College). We are deeply saddened."

Funeral arrangements are at follows:  Visitation Tuesday, August 18 1:30 to 4 p.m., followed by the funeral at 4 p.m.

Radio's Best Friend, Art Vuolo, Jr. shared this  video from 2022 with the MAB:  https://vimeo.com/698039982?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci