Dale Bozzio

Dale Bozzio
Born	March 2, 1955 (1955-03-02) (age 56)
Genres	Rock, New Wave, synthpop
Occupations	singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1976–present
Associated acts	Frank Zappa, Missing Persons, Prince, Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio

Dale Bozzio, born Dale Frances Consalvi in Medford, Massachusetts March 2, 1955, is an American progressive rock and new wave vocalist. She is best known as co-founder and lead singer of the 1980s pop/new wave band Missing Persons. She is also known for her work with Frank Zappa. In her solo career, Dale has released three albums and one EP.

While with Frank Zappa, Dale performed significant roles in two of his major works, Joe's Garage, and Thing-Fish.

In 1980, Dale co-founded the new wave band Missing Persons with former Zappa musicians Warren Cuccurullo and Terry Bozzio. She became known for colorful, self-designed stage attire incorporating various plastics and tubing, and for a vocal style that features a high pitched flourish or 'squeak'.^[1] In addition to being the band’s lead vocalist, she also contributed appreciably to song lyrics. Missing Persons has released one EP and six albums, including Spring Session M, which achieved gold record status.

After Missing Persons disbanded in 1986, Dale was signed to Prince’s Paisley Park label, which released her first solo album, Riot in English. Its first single, Simon Simon, successfully charted. Since that time, Dale established Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio, and continues to perform Missing Persons repertoire at venues across the United States. She has also participated periodically in reunions of the original Missing Persons band, and has continued her work as a solo artist.

Early life

Aspiring to an acting career since childhood, Dale was admitted to the performing arts program at Emerson College at the age of 16. Instead, she chose to work as a Bunny at the Playboy Club in Boston.^[2]

Dale was named Boston Playboy Club Bunny of the Year in 1975.^[3]

In 1976, Dale traveled to Playboy Mansion West in Los Angeles at the request of Hugh Hefner, to interview for the position of Valentine party hostess.^[4] The opportunity would provide for both a continuing relationship with Playboy and for living arrangements in L.A., from which she could pursue an acting career.^[5][6]

Dale did not accept Hefner’s offer, and she did not secure living arrangements. However, shortly thereafter, she chanced upon musician and composer Frank Zappa, whom she had met previously at one of his concerts in Boston. That encounter led to her employment with Zappa.^[7]

With Frank Zappa

At that chance meeting, seeing potential in Dale, Frank Zappa hired her to voice the part of Mary in his rock opera, Joe's Garage, which was under development at that time. ^[8] In that role she promoted Zappa’s views towards the Roman Catholic Church, sexuality, and the culture of rock bands. ^[9] In “Scene Sixteen-Packard Goose”, Dale expressed Zappa’s philosophy concerning how information, knowledge, wisdom, truth, beauty, love, and music relate to each other, with music as the best. ^{[10] [11]}

Dale’s voice can also be heard in the film Baby Snakes (1979), and in the single “I Don’t Wanna Get Drafted” (1980), a criticism of the US military draft policy at that time. ‘’I Don’t Wanna Get Drafted was also included on the album, Lost Episodes (1996). ^{[12] [13]}

In 1984, Dale was cast in Frank Zappa’s musical, ‘’Thing-Fish’’. In voicing the part of Rhonda, she played opposite her real-life husband at the time, Terry Bozzio, who voiced the character, Harry, Rhonda’s husband. In Thing-Fish, Dale articulated Zappa’s early 1980s perspective on feminism, female sexuality, young urban professionals (Yuppies), and the state of Broadway musical theater. ^[14]

In November 1991, participating along with other alumni in Zappa’s fiftieth birthday tribute concert, ‘’Zappa’s Universe’’, Dale revised the words in her recitation of her lines in "Packard Goose" to, "Music...and Frank Zappa...are the best." ^{[15] [16]}

Missing Persons

Dale, along with Zappa touring guitarist Warren Cuccurullo and Terry Bozzio who had been one of Zappa's drummers, founded Missing Persons in 1980.

Missing Persons quickly gained popularity thanks to their music, as well as to Dale's quirky voice, unusual, futuristic fashion sense, wild makeup and hair colors. Her now ex-husband Terry once described Dale as looking "like a popsicle" when shooting the music video for the Missing Persons song Words, because of the vibrant colors and clothing she was wearing. Missing Persons had several hits during the first half of the 1980s but broke up in 1986, shortly after the release of their third full-length album Color In Your Life.

Dale Bozzio has continued to record and perform since the breakup of the original Missing Persons band.

Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio

During the early 1990s, Dale Bozzio toured with her own hired band using the name "Missing Persons" and performing Missing Persons songs. Following controversy over Bozzio's use of the "Missing Persons" band name and her former managers' misleading use of photographs of original band members when advertising her shows, she now tours under the name "Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio."

Some of her musicians have been Wes Wehmiller, Ron Poster, Mike Mangini, Anthony Resta, Ben Sesar, Tony Savarino, Brad Miller, Jeff Calder, Michael T. Ross, Van Spragins, Michael Maysonet, and Eric Welsh.

In June 2005, Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio appeared on week five of the NBC show Hit Me Baby One More Time. They performed "Words" and a cover of the Kylie Minogue dance track, "Can't Get You Out of My Head".

Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio has toured throughout the United States. During the past few years, the band has made several appearances on the Regeneration Tour, played club dates on the west coast during the Summer of 2009, and played with the 1980s Club Tour at venues across the country in the Spring of 2010.

Solo

Dale's solo album Riot In English was released on January 1, 1988 on Prince's Paisley Park Records. The lead single "Simon Simon" was a Top 40 dance hit and was also a crossover hit in Europe. The Simon Simon music video was the only video produced from the album. The 2nd single, "Riot In English" did not chart.

In 2000 Bozzio’s cover "Into the Groove (Meeks Remix)" appeared on the album Virgin Voices: A Tribute to Madonna Volume Two on Cleopatra Records. That cover has also been included on some more recent “Tribute to Madonna” compilations. Dale's cover version of the Prince single "I Would Die 4 U" was also received with positive reviews.

Dale's second album New Wave Sessions was released on October 23, 2007 on compact disc by Cleopatra Records. New versions of '80s classics "Words", "Destination Unknown", "Funkytown", "Der Kommissar", "Turning Japanese", "I Know What Boys Like", and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" are included. A collectible, white vinyl album was also produced by Cleopatra Records but limited to 300 copies.

Influence on other artists

Dale Bozzio has been credited with influencing Gwen Stefani’s vocal styling.^[17]

Also, direct comparisons have been made between the hairstyles, makeup and outfits that Dale Bozzio wore when performing with Missing Persons in the 80s, and Lady GaGa’s style now 30 years later.^[18][19]

Personal life

During her work with Frank Zappa, Dale met Zappa drummer, Terry Bozzio, in 1976. They married in 1979, after Terry Bozzio had become a member of the band, UK. ^[20] They divorced in 1986.

In 2008, Bozzio was charged with and convicted of animal cruelty. In November, 2009, she turned herself in to a New Hampshire jail to serve a short sentence for the conviction.^[21]

Discography

With Frank Zappa

• Joe's Garage Act I (1979)
• Joe's Garage Acts II, and III (1979)
• Thing-Fish (1984)
• The Lost Episodes (1996)

With Missing Persons

• Missing Persons EP (1980)#46 US
• Spring Session M (1982, 1995)#17 US
• Rhyme & Reason (1984, 2000)#43 US
• Color In Your Life (1986, 2000)#88 US
• The Best of Missing Persons (1987)
• Late Nights, Early Days (1998)
• Remixed Hits (1999)
• Lost Tracks (2002)
• Classic Masters: Missing Persons (2002)
• The Best of Missing Persons: 10 Best Series (2002)
• Walking in LA: The dance mixes (2006)
• Live From the Danger Zone!: Dale Bozzio & Missing Persons (March 2008 Acadia Records UK – Europe & Airline Records – USA)

Solo releases

• Riot In English (1988)
• New Wave Sessions (2007)
• Talk Talk EP (2010)
• Make Love Not War (2010)

Filmography and videography

Filmography

• Baby Snakes (1979)
• Lunch Wagon (1981)
• Zappa’s Universe (1993)
• US Festival 1983 Days 1-3 (2009)

Videography

Missing Persons

• Words (1981)
• Mental Hopscotch (1982)
• Destination Unknown (1982)
• Noticeable One (1983)
• Surrender Your Heart (1984)
• Give (1984)
• Right Now (1984)
• I Can’t Think About Dancing (1986)

With Frank Sinatra

• L.A. is My Lady (1984)

Solo

• Simon Simon (1988)

References

1. ^ Luther Orrick-Guzman “Missing Persons The Famed ‘80’s New Wave Band is Back!” QvMagazine Issue 22 The Triumph Issue 2001 last sentence of last para.
2. ^ Deirdre Donahue “They May Be Missing Persons, but Terry and Dale Bozzio Have Found Each Other” ‘’People Magazine’’ Vol. 22 No. 22 November 26, 1984 para. 8 sentences 2-4
3. ^ Christopher John Treacy “Missing Persons Finds New Life” ‘’The Boston Herald’’ January 5, 2007 para. 9 1st sentence
4. ^ Chris Cordani “Interview with Dale Bozzio” Revenge of the 80s Radio June 27, 2008 7 min:35 sec.
5. ^ Christopher John Treacy “Missing Persons Finds New Life” ‘’The Boston Herald’’ January 5, 2007 para. 9 4th sentence
6. ^ Deirdre Donahue “They May Be Missing Persons, but Terry and Dale Bozzio Have Found Each Other” ‘’People Magazine’’ Vol. 22 No. 22 November 26, 1984 para. 8 5th sentence
7. ^ Chris Cordani “Interview with Dale Bozzio” Revenge of the 80s Radio June 27, 2008 7 min:20 sec.
8. ^ Chris Cordani “Interview with Dale Bozzio” Revenge of the 80s Radio June 27, 2008 8 min:03 sec.
9. ^ Lowe, Kelly Fisher (2007). The Words and Music of Frank Zappa (1st paperback ed.). Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, printers. pp. 152–155. ISBN 978-0-8032-6005-4. http://books.google.com/books?id=uAYfqgGf4yYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Words+and+Music+of+Frank+Zappa&hl=en&ei=_lnJTqr6DIbe0QG5kfkg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=The%20Words%20and%20Music%20of%20Frank%20Zappa&f=false. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
10. ^ Lowe, Kelly Fisher (2007). The Words and Music of Frank Zappa (1st paperback ed.). Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, printers. pp. 159. ISBN 978-0-8032-6005-4. http://books.google.com/books?id=uAYfqgGf4yYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Words+and+Music+of+Frank+Zappa&hl=en&ei=_lnJTqr6DIbe0QG5kfkg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=The%20Words%20and%20Music%20of%20Frank%20Zappa&f=false. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
11. ^ Frank Zappa “SCENE SIXTEEN Packard Goose” Joe’s Garage Acts II&III, ZAPPA, 1979, LP, enclosed libretto, p 4, 2nd col, top
12. ^ "Cast" "Baby Snakes" IMDb The internet Movie Database
13. ^ "Review, ‘’Lost Episodes’’" The AllMusic Guide
14. ^ Lowe, Kelly Fisher (2007). The Words and Music of Frank Zappa (1st paperback ed.). Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, printers. pp. 188-194. ISBN 978-0-8032-6005-4. http://books.google.com/books?id=uAYfqgGf4yYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Words+and+Music+of+Frank+Zappa&hl=en&ei=_lnJTqr6DIbe0QG5kfkg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=The%20Words%20and%20Music%20of%20Frank%20Zappa&f=false. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
15. ^ “Frank Zappa” classicbands.com para 20
16. ^ “dale bozzio” united mutations para. 5
17. ^ allmusic, Dale Bozzio, biography, last sentence
18. ^ demiCouture, As It Turns Out, Lady GaGa Is 2009’s Dale Bozzio paragraphs 2-5
19. ^ dallasnews.com The Dallas Morning News, Dale Bozzio should be flattered...maybe paragraphs 1&2
20. ^ Deirdre Donahue “They May Be Missing Persons, but Terry and Dale Bozzio Have Found Each Other” ‘’People Magazine’’ Vol. 22 No. 22 November 26, 1984 para. 8-11
21. ^ TMZ Staff "Missing Persons Singer Finds Herself in Jail" TMZ November 12, 2009

External links

• Dale Bozzio's official site
• Missing Persons facebook site

Persondata
Name	Bozzio, Dale
Alternative names
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Date of birth	March 2, 1955
Place of birth
Date of death
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