Unbelievable Uglies

Infobox musical artist
Name = Unbelievable Uglies


Img_capt = Photo from Original 45 sleeve
Img_size =
Landscape = Yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Fargo, North Dakota, USA
Instrument =
Genre = Rock
Occupation =
Years_active = 1963 - 1978; 2005 – present
Label = Music Masters Records, Cardinal Records
Soma Records, Liberty Records, Sound Records, UA Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.unbelievableuglies.com/ www.unbelievableuglies.com]
Current_members = Dave Prentice
Greg Paul
Robby Jay (Bob Eveslage)
James Miller
Jerry Uchanski
Past_members = Winston Fink (Dave Hoffman)
Mike Gilson
Alan Spears
Mike Shannon
Paul Lidstrom

The Unbelievable Uglies are a rock band that formed in Fargo, North Dakota in 1963. The lineup originally comprised of singer/upright bassist Winston Fink (born Dave Hoffman), fellow frontman Dave Prentice, guitarist Greg Paul, keyboardist Robby Jay (born Bob Eveslage), and drummer Mike Shannon.

Famed for their raucous, unpredictable live sets, the group quickly emerged as one of the most popular acts in the upper Midwest, and in 1964 issued their debut single, "Judy Angel," on the Music Masters label. Soon after, Eveslage left the lineup -- in 1966, he issued a solo single, "The Days When I Knew Judy," credited to Robbie Jay -- and was replaced by keyboardist Mike Gilson.

In 1965 the new-look Uglies returned with the Cardinal effort "Off My Hands," soon after signing to Soma for "Keep Her Satisfied." All three singles enjoyed enough local airplay to land the group a deal with Liberty, and in mid-1967 they released their major-label debut, the Bobby Vee-produced "Sorry." Vee also helmed the Uglies' acknowledged masterpiece, the ferocious follow-up "Spider-Man." In November of 1967, the band was the opening act for the Fargo appearance of The Who on the opening night of the British legends' first headlining U.S. tour. (The show made national headlines when the mayor of Fargo accused the Who of inciting the teen audience to riot, and banned them from ever appearing in his city again.)

Prentice left the Uglies around the time they landed with the Sound label for "New Day" -- he was replaced by singer Alan Spears in time for 1968's "Ain't Gonna Eat My Heart Out," their first of three singles for UA. "The Tin Drum" appeared later that year, and in 1969 the Uglies issued "Hello Gooday."

Despite the relative volume of their major-label output, the band's regional popularity never translated to national fame, and after self-releasing two more singles -- "Mr. Skin" and "Right Road Now" -- the original Unbelievable Uglies eventually dissolved, and over the next several years, the "Uglies" name was sold to a succession of lesser bands, anxious to cash in on the remaining name recognition and left-over popularity.

In 2005, the original members reunited and began performing as "The Original, Unbelievable Uglies". A CD of newly-written and recorded material was released, and the band began preparing for a regional tour in support of their first new recording in over three decades. Unfortunately, on the very day the tour was to begin, the band's frontman and "spirit", Winston Fink, suffered a serious stroke. Despite his inability to perform with the band in live shows however, Winston has continued to work behind the scenes, assisting with booking, songwriting, recording and producing the band.

In addition to the 2006 self-titled CD "The Original Unbelievable Uglies", latter-day compilation appearances include "The Lost Generation, Vol. 2", "Mondo Frat Dance Bash a Go Go", and "".

In 2006, Garrison Keillor referenced 'The Uglies' on the NPR radio program "Prairie Home Companion" when it broadcast "live" from the newly rebuilt Lakeside Pavilion in Glenwood, Minnesota in March of that year.Fact|date=May 2008

References

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