Biography
The Festivals -- Vaughn Price, Earl Moss, Woody Price, and Leon Thomas -- never secured the breakthrough that would have lifted them to lasting success, yet their shortcomings stemmed neither from insufficient persistence nor from affiliations with obscure independents. Their first appearance came on Smash Records via the fall 1966 single "I'll Always Love You," which stirred modest regional interest without broader traction. Interest sharpened the following spring when Smash issued the quartet's strongest and most recognized effort, "You Got the Makings of a Lover," a Moss original whose luminous harmonies stood out; a later cover by Sly, Slick & Wicked from Los Angeles in the 1990s prompted renewed searches for the long-overlooked original.
Even listeners in major markets remained unaware, because Smash confined its push to scattered test cities. Executives at the label found the romantic ballad's performance underwhelming and declined further investment. After a long delay, the group resurfaced with "Hey Girl" -- distinct from Freddie Scott's composition -- in November 1968, earning scattered airplay that still failed to register nationally. Blue Rock Records acquired the track in early 1969, pairing it with the new B-side "Checkin' Out," yet the reissue likewise vanished without commercial impact. A subsequent association with Philadelphia's Colossus Records yielded three singles, matching the total previously released on Smash; these sides remain the most accessible today owing to repeated anthologies devoted to the Colossus catalog.
Beyond soul enthusiasts in the Philadelphia and New Jersey vicinity, few encountered "You're Gonna Make It," which reached number 99 on Cashbox, along with "Baby Show It" and "Give Her Up," all issued between 1970 and 1971. In summer 1972, Gordy Records, an imprint of Motown, released the group's rendition of "Green Grow the Lilacs," a number the label had first entrusted to the Originals three years earlier. No additional Festivals material appeared on Motown, although vault recordings of strong quality may still exist. Their final known single surfaced on Lo Lo. Leon Thomas and Earl Moss contributed background vocals to Doc Severinsen's 1975 album Night Journey, after which no further activity by the quartet or its members has surfaced.
Even listeners in major markets remained unaware, because Smash confined its push to scattered test cities. Executives at the label found the romantic ballad's performance underwhelming and declined further investment. After a long delay, the group resurfaced with "Hey Girl" -- distinct from Freddie Scott's composition -- in November 1968, earning scattered airplay that still failed to register nationally. Blue Rock Records acquired the track in early 1969, pairing it with the new B-side "Checkin' Out," yet the reissue likewise vanished without commercial impact. A subsequent association with Philadelphia's Colossus Records yielded three singles, matching the total previously released on Smash; these sides remain the most accessible today owing to repeated anthologies devoted to the Colossus catalog.
Beyond soul enthusiasts in the Philadelphia and New Jersey vicinity, few encountered "You're Gonna Make It," which reached number 99 on Cashbox, along with "Baby Show It" and "Give Her Up," all issued between 1970 and 1971. In summer 1972, Gordy Records, an imprint of Motown, released the group's rendition of "Green Grow the Lilacs," a number the label had first entrusted to the Originals three years earlier. No additional Festivals material appeared on Motown, although vault recordings of strong quality may still exist. Their final known single surfaced on Lo Lo. Leon Thomas and Earl Moss contributed background vocals to Doc Severinsen's 1975 album Night Journey, after which no further activity by the quartet or its members has surfaced.
Albums
Singles