The Uglys chart action - in Australia!
While the Birmingham group The Uglys (previously known as The Dominettes) had several great singles released during the 1960s, none of them managed to have an impact on the British charts. Despite this, The Uglys' first self-composed record release titled 'Wake Up My Mind' was a major hit for the group in Australia and New Zealand during 1965.
According to Adelaide station Radio 5AD, The Uglys entered the chart at No. 40 on 16th July 1965 and peaked at No. 9 on 20th August 1965. The last entry noted was No. 26 on 24th September 1965. Some of the regional charts placed the single at Number One, possibly due to popular radio DJ Bob Rogers who gave the record plenty of airplay. Due to the record's success in Australia, it also caught on in New Zealand where it made the Top Ten.
The Uglys' Wake Up My Mind was recorded by the group's current line-up of Bob Burnett, Steve Gibbons, Jimmy Holden, and John Hustwayte. Steve Gibbons played an extra-large size harmonica on the recording which gave it a unique sound. Who knows what would have happened if The Uglys had toured Australia at that time in support of their record! It's not known if The Uglys had other hits down-under but the group's vocalist Steve Gibbons would have to wait a while before his own Steve Gibbons Band made the British top twenty with 'Tulane' in 1977.
Many thanks to Dave Walker of Adelaide, Australia for supplying the chart information, and Sam Hustwayte (whose father John Hustwayte was the Uglys bass guitarist) for sending some rare pictures of the group, some of which are displayed on this website. To find out more about The Uglys, see their recently updated entry in the Brumbeat MAIN INDEX.