It is worth noting, that Frank Zappa commented favorably about Warren DiMartini - "And this guy in Ratt, Warren DeMartini, he's pretty unbelievable too" - and that blew Warren away. They got to know each other before Frank died. Warren said....
I’ve never received a Grammy, but if I did, I seriously doubt the feeling would exceed the feeling of getting a call from Frank Zappa.
I did not know that. And I’m a huge Zappa fan. Saw him 5 times. Most amazing musicians ever.
L
I can’t rank Frank’s awareness of contemporary bands or musicians but Warren Cuccurullo and Terry Bozzio were also in Duran Duran and Missing Persons. A band is a gig for a working musician.
He’d worked with session musicians and studio bands (as a writer and producer in the early and mid 60s). At a point he could probably see some things others might not and give them a tryout. He certainly was a fan of the old music companies that may not have understood contemporary music but they were willing to throw it against the wall and see what sticks.
Roger Corman originally wanted Rock N Roll High School to be a movie called Disco High. When his younger New World protégées asked him which movie he’d see/avoid based on the title, the Joe Dante and the sort said “that’s why it has to be Rock’n’Roll High School to draw the young audiences”.