Dale in Chicago

Dale Bozzio - New Year's Eve, 2002

By Dale Wemken, ©2003

Last week, I got to see one of my favorite bands of all time: Missing Persons.

Since I hadn't really kept up with them too much lately, I knew it was unlikely that the entire original line-up was together. I was hoping to at least see Warren though. I got to see him at one of his last DD shows at House of Blues, and they had mentioned that both bands were re-uniting. I've been a huge fan of both bands and was blown away to hear that kind of news. Anyways, the last time I saw Missing Persons was in 1982 I believe and they were awesome. I'd have to say it was one of the most spectacular concert experiences of my life - all that talent and Dale's outrageous personality on stage!

Well, this time around, I got to see Dale at least and she was just as incredible as 20 years ago. The band was great, Joe on drums (sporting a Jenny McCarthy

-where are you? t-shirt) *Dale says that he was recently asked by Terry Bozzio at a clinic to 'sing' the Black Page and proceeded to do so, Ronnie was on keys as usual, and not sure who the bass player was but he rocked. She mentioned that he was the son of a bass player from the band Chic who also produced one of M.P.s albums. Not sure who the guitarist was either, but she mentioned that he was a grad from Berklee and one of the only people in the world who could play Warren's riffs. There was television coverage there as well (ABC TV).

Anyways, hearing the music again, just brought back a ton of good memories from my younger days. They did a great job performing and were obviously enjoying the whole thing. Dale talked a lot, and had a lot of interesting comments. She even went on a huge political schpeil and talked about how they were all thankful for Frank Zappa and where they started. She also sounded excited about the Nike thing coming up in L.A./Feb 2003. She kept talking about this being the year, and not letting anything or anyone get in her way.

Well, after the show I managed to get a set list, and here's the rundown:

- Mental Hopscotch

- Noticeable One

- Words

- Here & Now

- Right Now

- Give

- Windows

- Bad Streets

- US Drag

- drum solo

- It Ain't None Of Your Business

- Destination Unknown

- Walkin' in L.A.

also on the list but unfortunately not included were:

- Color In Your Life

- I Like Boys

- Tears

After their show, they stuck around to party and check out the Smithereens and Dale even did a duet with the guy on Auld Lang Syne. Ronnie and the bass player were out in the audience for a while and seemed like real approachable guys. Later that evening I had something pretty bizarre happen. I was on my way home, heading west down I-90 and I saw a white limo with California plates! Could it just be a coincidence? I know she doesn't travel by plane, so it had to be her. Unreal!

Missing Persons Website *