In 1980, Cuccurullo and the two Bozzios formed Missing Persons, recording a 4-song EP called "Missing Persons" with session musicians, including future keyboardist Chuck Wild. They then toured to promote the EP and appeared in the movie "Lunch Wagon". By 1981, the group had added fellow Zappa alumnus Patrick O'Hearn, and Chuck Wild had become an official bandmember. Two years of hard work led to a signing with Capitol Records in 1982, the release of the album "Spring Session M", and the subsequent success of Missing Persons on radio and MTV. The singles "Mental Hopscotch", "Destination Unknown," "Walking in L.A.," "Words," and "Windows" all met with success. They appeared at the three-day Southern California concert, the US Festival in May 1983.