Missing Persons

Missing Persons are an excellent and innovative 1980s electronic pop-rock New Wave outfit from Los Angeles, California. The group first formed in 1980 and initially called themselves U.S. Drag. The original band members were: Dale Bozzio (vocals), Terry Bozzio (drums), Warren Cuccurullo (guitar), Patrick O'Hearn (bass), and Chuck Wild (keyboards). Missing Persons released their self-titled debut four song EP in 1980. They signed with the major label Capitol Records in 1982 and released their first full-length album "Spring Session M" that same year. The album subsequently went gold and peaked at #17 on the record charts. The group almost cracked the mainstream Top 40 radio charts with the catchy singles "Words" and "Destination Unknown". Moreover, the band scored a substantial underground radio hit with the groovy "Walking in L.A." in 1983.

Missing Persons appeared in the amusing lowbrow comedy Lunch Wagon (1981) and performed the infectiously bouncy 'n' bubbly "Mental Hopscotch" in the film. Dale Bozzio's distinctive squeaky voice, heavy makeup and revealing clothes made the band a favorite on the fledgling cable channel MTV. Alas, the follow-up albums "Rhyme & Reason" and "Color in Your Life" both proved to be commercial failures. The group disbanded in 1986 and the various individual members went onto successful solo careers. Missing Persons officially reunited in 2001, but soon disbanded again following three live performances in July 2001. A second reunion was likewise short-lived; it lasted from late 2002 to early 2003. Dale Bozzio now fronts a new incarnation of the group with a whole different line-up of musicians as her supporting band.