38 Special (band) - Revision history

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Band members

2601:41:C07F:7500:314E:16AC:3EEB:C282: /* 2000s–present */

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2000s–present

Show changes

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← Previous revision		Revision as of 19:17, 14 June 2025
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	'''38 Special''', often stylized as '''.38 Special''' or spelled out as '''Thirty-eight Special''', is an American [[rock music\|rock]] band formed in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], in 1974 by singer-guitarists [[Donnie Van Zant\|Donald Newton "Donnie" Van Zant]] (born June 11, 1952) and [[Don Barnes\|Richard Donald "Don" Barnes]] (born December 3, 1952).<ref name= Jacksonville>{{cite web\|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/thirty_eight_special/bio.jhtml\|title=.38 Special\|year=2007\|website=VH1\|publisher=All Media Guide\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207051833/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/thirty_eight_special/bio.jhtml\|archive-date=December 7, 2009\|access-date=September 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title= .38 Special Biography, Songs, & Albums \|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/38-special-mn0000500781/biography \|access-date=2023-05-11 \|website= AllMusic \|language=en}}</ref>		'''38 Special''', often stylized as '''.38 Special''' or spelled out as '''Thirty-eight Special''', is an American [[rock music\|rock]] band formed in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], in 1974 by singer-guitarists [[Donnie Van Zant\|Donald Newton "Donnie" Van Zant]] (born June 11, 1952) and [[Don Barnes\|Richard Donald "Don" Barnes]] (born December 3, 1952).<ref name= Jacksonville>{{cite web\|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/thirty_eight_special/bio.jhtml\|title=.38 Special\|year=2007\|website=VH1\|publisher=All Media Guide\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207051833/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/thirty_eight_special/bio.jhtml\|archive-date=December 7, 2009\|access-date=September 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title= .38 Special Biography, Songs, & Albums \|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/38-special-mn0000500781/biography \|access-date=2023-05-11 \|website= AllMusic \|language=en}}</ref>

	They are known for their hit songs, including "[[Hold On Loosely]]" and "[[Caught Up in You]]", among various other [[Top 40]] hits on the US [[Billboard Hot 100\|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] during the 1980s and early 1990s, including "[[Rockin' into the Night (song)\|Rockin' into the Night]]", "[[You Keep Runnin' Away]]", "[[If I'd Been the One]]", "[[Back Where You Belong]]", "[[Teacher, Teacher (38 Special song)\|Teacher, Teacher]]", "[[Like No Other Night]]", "[[Second Chance (38 Special song)\|Second Chance]]" and "[[The Sound of Your Voice]]".<ref>{{cite web\| url= http://allmusic.com/artist/38-special-p50060/charts-awards/billboard-singles \|title= 38 Special Singles Charts\| work= AllMusic.com\| publisher= \| access-date= 2011-12-22}}</ref>		They are known for their hit songs, including "[[Hold On Loosely]]" and "[[Caught Up in You]]", among various other [[Top 40]] hits on the US [[Billboard Hot 100\|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] during the 1980s and early 1990s, including “[[Fantasy Girl]]”, "[[Rockin' into the Night (song)\|Rockin' into the Night]]", "[[You Keep Runnin' Away]]", "[[If I'd Been the One]]", "[[Back Where You Belong]]", "[[Teacher, Teacher (38 Special song)\|Teacher, Teacher]]", "[[Like No Other Night]]", "[[Second Chance (38 Special song)\|Second Chance]]" and "[[The Sound of Your Voice]]".<ref>{{cite web\| url= http://allmusic.com/artist/38-special-p50060/charts-awards/billboard-singles \|title= 38 Special Singles Charts\| work= AllMusic.com\| publisher= \| access-date= 2011-12-22}}</ref>

	== History ==		== History ==
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	=== 1980–1999 ===		=== 1980–1999 ===
	The band's first two albums had a strong [[Southern rock]] influence. By the early 1980s, .38 Special had shifted to a more accessible guitar-driven [[arena rock]] style without completely abandoning the Southern rock roots.<ref name="LarkinHM" /> This shift helped to usher in a string of successful albums and singles. Engineer [[Rodney Mills]], who had worked with [[Atlanta Rhythm Section]] and others, assumed the producer's reins, and [[Survivor (band)\|Survivor]] co-founder [[Jim Peterik]] became a frequent songwriting collaborator with the band from 1979 on, which helped account for this change in sound and subsequent success.		The band's first two albums had a strong [[Southern rock]] influence. By the early 1980s, .38 Special had shifted to a more accessible guitar-driven [[arena rock]] style without completely abandoning the Southern rock roots.<ref name="LarkinHM" /> The change also involved Don Barnes replacing Donnie Van Zant on lead vocals.<ref>{{cite web \|title=38 Special \|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1974245-38-Special-38-Special \|publisher=Discogs \|access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|last1=Wardlaw \|first1=Matt \|title=45 Years Ago: 38 Special Begin Journey Toward a New Sound\|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/38-special-debut-album/ \|website=Ultimate Classic Rock.com \|publisher=ultimateclassicrock.com \|access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref> This shift helped to usher in a string of successful albums and singles. Engineer [[Rodney Mills]], who had worked with [[Atlanta Rhythm Section]] and others, assumed the producer's reins, and [[Survivor (band)\|Survivor]] co-founder [[Jim Peterik]] became a frequent songwriting collaborator with the band from 1979 on, which helped account for this change in sound and subsequent success.

	"[[Rockin' into the Night (song)\|Rockin' into the Night]]", the title track from the group's third album (released in October 1979), which Peterik and his bandmates had originally written for [[Survivor (band)\|Survivor]], found its way to 38 Special's manager, Mark Spector (who'd left his job at [[A&M Records]] to manage the group), and was given to the band. Sung by 38's guitarist Don Barnes (who would sing lead vocals on all of the band's hits through 1987), the tune became their first song to receive national airplay, peaking at No. 43 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)\|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100\|Hot 100]] in early 1980.<ref name="LarkinHM" />		"[[Rockin' into the Night (song)\|Rockin' into the Night]]", the title track from the group's third album (released in October 1979), which Peterik and his bandmates had originally written for [[Survivor (band)\|Survivor]], found its way to 38 Special's manager, Mark Spector (who'd left his job at [[A&M Records]] to manage the group), and was given to the band. Sung by 38's guitarist Don Barnes (who would sing lead vocals on all of the band's hits through 1987), the tune became their first song to receive national airplay, peaking at No. 43 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)\|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100\|Hot 100]] in early 1980.<ref name="LarkinHM" />

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New page

{{Short description|American rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = .38 Special
| image = Rock band .38 Special in 2010.jpg
| image_upright = 1.2
| caption = .38 Special performing in 2010
| alias = .38 Special, Thirty-eight Special
| origin = [[Jacksonville, Florida]], US
| genre = {{hlist|[[Southern rock]]||[[hard rock]]|[[boogie rock]]|[[blues rock]]<ref name="allmusic.com">{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |title=.38 Special Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/38-special-mn0000500781/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=25 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>}}
| discography = [[38 Special discography]]
| years_active = 1974–present
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]]
| website = {{URL|38special.com}}
| current_members = [[Don Barnes]] Bobby Capps Gary Moffatt [[Barry Dunaway]] [[Jerry Riggs]]
| past_members = [[Donnie Van Zant]] Jeff Carlisi Jack Grondin Steve Brookins [[Ken Lyons]] [[Larry Junstrom]] Steve McRay [[Max Carl]] [[Danny Chauncey]] Scott Meeder [[Scott Hoffman]]
}}
'''38 Special''', often stylized as '''.38 Special''' or spelled out as '''Thirty-eight Special''', is an American [[rock music|rock]] band formed in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], in 1974 by singer-guitarists [[Donnie Van Zant|Donald Newton "Donnie" Van Zant]] (born June 11, 1952) and [[Don Barnes|Richard Donald "Don" Barnes]] (born December 3, 1952).<ref name= Jacksonville>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/thirty_eight_special/bio.jhtml|title=.38 Special|year=2007|website=VH1|publisher=All Media Guide|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207051833/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/thirty_eight_special/bio.jhtml|archive-date=December 7, 2009|access-date=September 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= .38 Special Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/38-special-mn0000500781/biography |access-date=2023-05-11 |website= AllMusic |language=en}}</ref>

They are known for their hit songs, including "[[Hold On Loosely]]" and "[[Caught Up in You]]", among various other [[Top 40]] hits on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] during the 1980s and early 1990s, including "[[Rockin' into the Night (song)|Rockin' into the Night]]", "[[You Keep Runnin' Away]]", "[[If I'd Been the One]]", "[[Back Where You Belong]]", "[[Teacher, Teacher (38 Special song)|Teacher, Teacher]]", "[[Like No Other Night]]", "[[Second Chance (38 Special song)|Second Chance]]" and "[[The Sound of Your Voice]]".<ref>{{cite web| url= http://allmusic.com/artist/38-special-p50060/charts-awards/billboard-singles |title= 38 Special Singles Charts| work= AllMusic.com| publisher= | access-date= 2011-12-22}}</ref>

== History ==
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| image1 = 38 Special - WPLR (2).jpg
| image2 = 38 Special - WPLR.jpg
| footer = 38 Special performing
| total_width = 250
}}

=== 1970s ===
Donnie Van Zant is the younger brother of [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] co-founder and frontman [[Ronnie Van Zant]]. Donnie began playing music during his teen years. He formed a band, the Other Side, in 1965, and later Sons of Satan, which changed its name to Standard Production in 1968. In 1969, he formed his first professional group, Sweet Rooster, with guitarists Jeff Carlisi (from Doomsday Refreshment Committee) and Kevin Elson,{{efn|Elson would become the sound man for Skynyrd and 38 Special, who eventually graduated to producing [[Journey (band)|Journey]], [[Night Ranger]] and many others.}} drummer Bill Pelkey and Standard Productions bassist [[Ken Lyons]]. Carlisi left Sweet Rooster after graduating high school to study architecture at [[Georgia Tech]] and was replaced by [[Don Barnes]], from a fellow band called Camelots, in 1970. Sweet Rooster then evolved into Alice Marr, with Van Zant, Barnes, Elson, Pelkey, bassist Larry Steele and keyboardist [[Billy Powell]], who soon moved on to roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd before joining them as their pianist.

In the meantime, Van Zant, Barnes and Lyons, while continuing to work their day jobs as well as their musical careers, began composing original songs. By 1974, they decided to form "the ultimate band" that would be their "one last shot" at success. Briefly, Van Zant was considering a higher-paying position for the railroad at which he worked, but was finally convinced by brother Ronnie to stick with music since it was "in his blood".{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

The new group comprised Van Zant, Barnes, Steele (who dropped out almost immediately, to be replaced by Lyons, later returning as the group's stage manager), drummer Brookins (who had played with Van Zant in Sons of Satan), second drummer Jack Grondin (a New Jersey native who was attending [[Jacksonville University]] at the time) and a returning Carlisi.<ref name="LarkinHM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1995|edition=Second|isbn=0-85112-656-1|page=360/1}}</ref> The band's name was thought up after an incident which found the boys practicing in a warehouse out in the middle of nowhere. When police arrived after being notified by locals of the noise, the band members were unable to come out because of a padlock on the door. One of the cops said, "That's all right. We'll let this [[.38 Special|.38 special]] do the talking", and shot off the lock.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SXG-LFW4o&t=1m20s .38 Special's Don Barnes talks Hold on Loosely], Decades TV Network (YouTube channel, uploaded November 16, 2018)</ref>

Now that they had their name, the group spent most of 1975 and 1976 playing a steady grind of one-nighters, mostly in the South and the Midwest. Eventually, big brother Ronnie, who had hooked the boys up with [[Phil Walden]]'s [[Paragon Booking Agency]], who had worked with Skynyrd, figured Donnie and the gang had paid enough dues and set them up with Skynryd's manager Peter Rudge, who also handled [[the Who]] and was tour manager for [[the Rolling Stones]]. Rudge quickly set the group up to open shows for popular acts such as [[Peter Frampton]], [[Foghat]] and [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], and got them signed to [[A&M Records]], who assigned [[Dan Hartman]] (of [[Edgar Winter Group]] fame) to produce their first album, ''[[.38 Special (album)|.38 Special]]'', which was released in May 1977.<ref name="LarkinHM" />

During the record's recording, bassist Ken Lyons had decided to leave the band due to domestic troubles and was replaced by their friend, roadie and original [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] member [[Larry Junstrom]].

Also in 1977, the band added two female backup singers, Carol Bristow and Dale Krantz. Krantz was replaced by Nancy Henderson (1979–1981), Lu Moss (1981–1984) and then Lynn Hineman (1986–1987), before backup singers were dispensed with in 1987.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

In October 1977 Ronnie Van Zant was killed when [[Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash|Skynyrd's plane crashed]]. Donnie wrote "Take Me Back" as a tribute to his brother, which appeared on the band's second album, ''[[Special Delivery (38 Special album)|Special Delivery]]'' (March 1978), also produced by Hartman.<ref name="LarkinHM" />

=== 1980–1999 ===
The band's first two albums had a strong [[Southern rock]] influence. By the early 1980s, .38 Special had shifted to a more accessible guitar-driven [[arena rock]] style without completely abandoning the Southern rock roots.<ref name="LarkinHM" /> This shift helped to usher in a string of successful albums and singles. Engineer [[Rodney Mills]], who had worked with [[Atlanta Rhythm Section]] and others, assumed the producer's reins, and [[Survivor (band)|Survivor]] co-founder [[Jim Peterik]] became a frequent songwriting collaborator with the band from 1979 on, which helped account for this change in sound and subsequent success.

"[[Rockin' into the Night (song)|Rockin' into the Night]]", the title track from the group's third album (released in October 1979), which Peterik and his bandmates had originally written for [[Survivor (band)|Survivor]], found its way to 38 Special's manager, Mark Spector (who'd left his job at [[A&M Records]] to manage the group), and was given to the band. Sung by 38's guitarist Don Barnes (who would sing lead vocals on all of the band's hits through 1987), the tune became their first song to receive national airplay, peaking at No. 43 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] in early 1980.<ref name="LarkinHM" />

This paved the way for their platinum-selling fourth record, ''[[Wild-Eyed Southern Boys]]'' (January 1981), and its bigger hit "[[Hold On Loosely]]" (which reached No. 27 in 1981).<ref name="LarkinHM" />

Their next release, ''[[Special Forces (.38 Special album)|Special Forces]]'' (May 1982),<ref name="LarkinHM" /> contained the Top 10 hit "[[Caught Up in You]]" (just like "Hold On Loosely", composed by Barnes, Carlisi, and Peterik), which hit No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Rock Tracks chart, as did the single "If I'd Been the One" (October 1983) from their November 1983 release ''[[Tour de Force (38 Special album)|Tour de Force]]''. "You Keep Runnin' Away" (August 1982) and "Back Where You Belong" (February 1984) continued the sequence of hit radio favorites.

In the fall of 1984, they had another hit with "[[Teacher, Teacher (38 Special song)|Teacher, Teacher]]", from the soundtrack of the 1984 film ''[[Teachers (film)|Teachers]]'', written by [[Jim Vallance]] and [[Bryan Adams]]. The song climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Top Tracks Chart, spending ten weeks on the chart.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

In 1984 38 Special toured with the up-and-coming [[Huey Lewis and the News]], who were just breaking huge with their ''[[Sports (Huey Lewis and the News album)|Sports]]'' album, and in 1986 they shared the bill with the soon-to-be-platinum-selling hard rock band [[Bon Jovi]].

By 1987, Don Barnes, who was having differences with Carlisi and some of the others, had decided to leave the band to go out on his own.<ref name="LarkinHM" /> He recorded an album called ''Ride the Storm'', which, though slated for release in 1989, was shelved after A&M Records was sold, and was not released until 2017 – some 28 years later.

In the meantime, the group moved on, bringing in [[San Francisco]] guitarist [[Danny Chauncey]], after drummer Steve Brookins also decided to leave, and singer/keyboardist [[Max Carl]], from West Coast [[rhythm and blues]] group Jack Mack & the Heart Attack.<ref name="LarkinHM" />

The next release, ''[[Rock & Roll Strategy]]'' (June 1988),<ref name="LarkinHM" /> saw the group playing down their heavy guitar sound and putting forth a more 1980s pop keyboard-oriented approach, led by Carl's more R&B-style voice. "[[Second Chance (38 Special song)|Second Chance]]" (taken from ''Rock & Roll Strategy'') was a No. 1 hit on ''Billboard'''s [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|adult contemporary chart]] in early 1989.

Carl was also lead singer on "The Sound of Your Voice" ([[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] No. 33 in 1991) from ''[[Bone Against Steel]]'' (July 1991), which saw the group moving from A&M to the American iteration of the British label [[Charisma Records]].<ref name="LarkinHM" /> That same year, [[Arkansas]] native Bobby Capps (from [[Johnny Van Zant]] Band) came aboard as keyboardist/co-singer and drummer Scott Meeder replaced Jack Grondin after Grondin decided to leave the music business to pursue a career as a Christian missionary. The band found themselves without a home after Charisma folded in 1992.

After touring with the band through the spring of 1992, Max Carl decided to depart, making way for the return of Don Barnes. Since that time, the band has mostly concentrated on touring, with an occasional release of new material. [[Scott Hoffman]] took over the drum chair from Meeder later in 1992. [[Donny Baldwin]] (ex-[[Jefferson Starship]]) filled in for Hoffman on some 1996 tour dates after Hoffman was down with a broken arm, but Gary "Madman" Moffatt (formerly of [[Cactus (American band)|Cactus]]) has been the band's drummer since 1997.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

In early 1997, 38's long time guitarist/co-founder Jeff Carlisi, tired of the endless touring, decided to leave to form the Bonnie Blue Band, which led to the [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]] Big People, which also featured [[Benjamin Orr]] (from [[the Cars]]), [[Liberty DeVitto]] (from [[Billy Joel]]'s band), [[Derek St. Holmes]] (ex-[[Ted Nugent]]) and [[Pat Travers]]. Unfortunately Big People failed to launch after the death of Benjamin Orr in 2000.

Through the small [[Razor & Tie]] label, 38 Special released "Fade to Blue" from the album ''[[Resolution (38 Special album)|Resolution]]'' (The last album to feature Carlisi, released in June 1997). The single hit No. 33 on the Mainstream Rock chart in 1997.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Since 1997's ''Resolution'', two more releases have followed on the [[CMC International]] and [[Sanctuary Records]] labels, respectively ''[[A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night]]'' (September 2001) and ''[[Drivetrain (album)|Drivetrain]]'' (July 2004).{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

=== 2000s–present ===
In 2007 .38 Special was the opening act on [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] and [[Hank Williams Jr.]]'s Rowdy Frynds Tour.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Waddell |first1=Ray |title=Hank Jr., Skynyrd Getting Rowdy On Spring Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/hank-jr-skynyrd-getting-rowdy-on-spring-tour-1055515/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 18, 2022 |date=31 January 2007}}</ref> Also, on September 27, 2008, they filmed a [[CMT Crossroads]] special with country singer [[Trace Adkins]], performing both artists' hits from over the years.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

In 2009 .38 Special opened for [[REO Speedwagon]] and [[Styx (band)|Styx]] as part of the "Can't Stop Rockin' Tour".<ref>{{cite web |title=STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, .38 SPECIAL Team Up For Can't Stop Rockin' 2009 US Tour |url=https://bravewords.com/news/styx-reo-speedwagon-38-special-team-up-for-cant-stop-rockin-2009-us-tour |website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]] |access-date=January 18, 2022 |language=en |date=February 26, 2009}}</ref>

Van Zant missed a handful of shows in 2011, and in 2012 a notice was posted on 38 Special's website saying Donnie Van Zant would not tour with the band due to health issues related to inner-ear nerve damage, although he would continue to write and record with the band. In 2013, after nearly a year of missing performances, Van Zant officially left 38 Special after 39 years and retired from music.<ref name=ConversationwithDonBarnes>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/04/whistlestop_music_2014_38_spec.html|title=WhistleStop music 2014: 38 Special|last=Wake|first=Matt|date=April 29, 2014|publisher=Alabama Media Group|website=al.com|access-date=May 12, 2015}}</ref>

In 2012 original bassist Ken Lyons died at age 59.<ref name=Lyons />

In 2014 longtime bassist Larry Junstrom was replaced by [[Barry Dunaway]] (a veteran of many classic rock groups, including [[Pat Travers Band]], [[Yngwie Malmsteen]] and [[Survivor (band)|Survivor]]). Dunaway had previously filled in for Junstrom for a handful of shows in 2011, and a few shows in 2013 as well. Junstrom was then forced to retire due to a hand injury that required surgery.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Since 2019, the band's lineup has consisted of [[Don Barnes]], keyboardist/vocalist Bobby Capps, drummer Gary Moffatt, Dunaway, and guitarist [[Jerry Riggs]]. This leaves Don Barnes as the only original member, although Barnes was absent from the band from 1987 until 1992.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Larry Junstrom died on October 6, 2019, at age 70.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://torontosun.com/entertainment/music/lynyrd-skynyrd-founder-larry-junstrom-dead-at-70/wcm/0faeb2eb-8f98-4b65-a238-c1a75efe5c8f|title=Lynyrd Skynyrd founder Larry Junstrom dead at 70|website=Torontosun.com|access-date=October 6, 2019}}</ref>

In 2022 bassist Paul Drennan filled in for [[Barry Dunaway]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rockatnight.com/2022/02/southern-rock-band-38-special-bring-an-evening-of-hits-to-tampa/ | title=Southern Rock band .38 Special bring an evening of hits to Tampa | date=February 10, 2022 }}</ref>

== Band members ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
=== Current members ===
* [[Don Barnes]] – lead and backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, harmonica, mandolin, piano (1974–1987, 1992–present)
* Bobby Capps – keyboards, backing and lead vocals (1991–present)
* Gary "Madman" Moffatt – drums, percussion (1996–present)
* [[Barry Dunaway]] – bass, backing vocals (2014–present; touring substitute 2011, 2013)
* [[Jerry Riggs]] – lead guitar, backing vocals (2019–present)

=== Touring musicians ===
* Carol Bristow – backing vocals (1977–1987)
* Dale Krantz Rossington – backing vocals (1977–1979)
* Nancy Henderson – backing vocals (1979–1980)
* Lu Moss – backing vocals (1981–1984)
* Lynn Hineman – backing vocals (1986–1987)

=== Touring substitutes ===
* [[Donny Baldwin]] – drums, percussion (1996; filled in for Scott Hoffman)
* Paul Drennan (Drennen) – bass, backing vocals (2022; filled in for [[Barry Dunaway]])
{{col-break}}

=== Former members ===
* [[Donnie Van Zant]] – lead and backing vocals, occasional guitar (1974–2013)
* Jeff Carlisi – lead guitar (1974–1997)
* Jack Grondin – drums, percussion (1974–1991)
* Steve Brookins – drums, percussion (1974–1987)
* [[Ken Lyons]] – bass (1974–1977; died 2012)<ref name=Lyons>{{cite web|url=http://www.journalpatriot.com/obituaries/article_5bdd6180-a692-11e1-8d47-0019bb30f31a.html|title=Kenneth Lyons, 59, of Mount Sinai Road dies in Winston-Salem|website=JournalPatriot.com|publisher=Wilkes Journal-Patriot|location=[[North Wilkesboro, North Carolina]], United States|date=May 25, 2012|access-date=September 6, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Larry Junstrom]] – bass, occasional guitar (1977–2014; died 2019)
* Steve McRay – keyboards, harmonica, backing vocals (1986–1987)
* [[Max Carl]] – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, guitar (1987–1992)
* [[Danny Chauncey]] – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (1987–2019)
* Scott Meeder – drums, percussion (1991–1992)
* [[Scott Hoffman]] – drums, percussion (1992–1997)
{{col-end}}

=== Lineups ===
{| class="toccolours" border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="float: width: 375px; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2;" width=99%
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1974–1977
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1977–1986
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1986–1987
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1987–1991
|-
| valign=top |
*Don Barnes – guitar, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica, backing vocals
*Donnie Van Zant – lead vocals, guitar
*Steve Brookins – drums, percussion
*Jeff Carlisi – guitar
*Jack Grondin – drums, percussion
*Ken Lyons – bass
| valign=top |
*Don Barnes – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica
*Donnie Van Zant – lead vocals, guitar
*Steve Brookins – drums, percussion
*Jeff Carlisi – guitar
*Jack Grondin – drums, percussion
*Larry Junstrom – bass, guitar
| valign=top |
*Don Barnes – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica
*Donnie Van Zant – lead vocals, guitar
*Steve Brookins – drums, percussion
*Jeff Carlisi – guitar
*Jack Grondin – drums, percussion
*Larry Junstrom – bass, guitar
*Steve McRay – keyboards, harmonica, backing vocals
| valign=top |
*Donnie Van Zant – lead vocals, guitar
*Jeff Carlisi – guitar
*Jack Grondin – drums, percussion
*Larry Junstrom – bass, guitar
*Max Carl – lead vocals, keyboards
*Danny Chauncey – guitar, backing vocals
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1991–1992
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1992–1997
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 1997–2013
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 2013–2014
|-
| valign=top |
*Donnie Van Zant – lead vocals, guitar
*Jeff Carlisi – guitar
*Larry Junstrom – bass, guitar
*Max Carl – lead vocals, keyboards
*Danny Chauncey – guitar, backing vocals
*Scott Meeder – drums, percussion
| valign=top |
*Don Barnes – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica
*Donnie Van Zant – lead vocals, guitar
*Jeff Carlisi – guitar
*Larry Junstrom – bass, guitar
*Danny Chauncey – guitar, backing vocals
*Bobby Capps – keyboards, vocals
*Scott Hoffman – drums, percussion
| valign=top |
*Don Barnes – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica
*Donnie Van Zant – lead vocals, guitar
*Larry Junstrom – bass, guitar
*Danny Chauncey – guitar, backing vocals
*Bobby Capps – keyboards, vocals
*Gary Moffatt – drums, percussion
| valign=top |
*Don Barnes – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica
*Larry Junstrom – bass, guitar
*Danny Chauncey – guitar, backing vocals
*Bobby Capps – keyboards, vocals
*Gary Moffatt – drums, percussion
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 2014–2019
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" valign=top width=25% | 2019–present
|-
| valign=top |
*Don Barnes – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica
*Tyler Greer – guitar, backing vocals
*Bobby Capps – keyboards, vocals
*Gary Moffatt – drums, percussion
*Barry Dunaway – bass, backing vocals
| valign=top |
*Don Barnes – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica
*Bobby Capps – keyboards, vocals
*Gary Moffatt – drums, percussion
*Barry Dunaway – bass, backing vocals
*Jerry Riggs – guitar, backing vocals
|}

=== Timeline ===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:23
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Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1974 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
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id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals
id:tour value:yellow legend:Touring_member
id:album value:black legend:Studio_album
id:live value:gray(0.6) legend:Live_album
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bar:Don text:Don Barnes
bar:Max text:Max Carl
bar:Jeff text:Jeff Carlisi
bar:Danny text:Danny Chauncey
bar:Jerry text:Jerry Riggs
bar:Ken text:Ken Lyons
bar:Larry text:Larry Junstrom
bar:Barry text:Barry Dunaway
bar:SteveM text:Steve McRay
bar:Bobby text:Bobby Capps
bar:Jack text:Jack Grondin
bar:Steve text:Steve Brookins
bar:ScottM text:Scott Meeder
bar:ScottH text:Scott Hoffman
bar:Gary text:Gary Moffatt
bar:Carol text:Carol Bristow
bar:Dale text:Dale Krantz Rossington
bar:Nancy text:Nancy Henderson
bar:Lu text:Lu Moss
bar:Lynn text:Lynn Hineman

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at:04/01/1986
at:09/01/1988
at:07/01/1991
at:06/17/1997
at:09/25/2001
at:07/24/2004
color:live
at:09/02/1984
at:11/09/1999
at:01/30/2010
at:08/29/2011

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bar:Don from:10/01/1981 till:06/01/1987 color:lvocals
bar:Don from:06/01/1992 till:end color:lvocals
bar:Jeff from:01/01/1974 till:10/01/1996 color:guitar
bar:Danny from:06/01/1987 till:10/01/1996 color:guitar
bar:Danny from:10/01/1996 till:11/01/2018 color:guitar
bar:Jerry from:01/01/2019 till:end color:guitar
bar:Ken from:01/01/1974 till:07/01/1977 color:bass
bar:Larry from:07/01/1977 till:01/01/2014 color:bass
bar:Barry from:01/01/2014 till:end color:bass
bar:Steve from:01/01/1974 till:09/01/1987 color:drums
bar:Jack from:01/01/1974 till:10/01/1991 color:drums
bar:ScottM from:10/01/1991 till:06/01/1992 color:drums
bar:ScottH from:06/01/1992 till:01/01/1997 color:drums
bar:Gary from:07/01/1997 till:end color:drums
bar:SteveM from:04/01/1986 till:06/01/1987 color:tour
bar:Max from:06/01/1987 till:06/01/1992 color:lvocals
bar:Bobby from:06/01/1992 till:end color:keys
bar:Carol from:start till:06/01/1987 color:tour
bar:Lynn from:04/01/1986 till:06/01/1987 color:tour
bar:Dale from:start till:02/01/1979 color:tour
bar:Nancy from:02/01/1979 till:01/01/1981 color:tour
bar:Lu from:01/01/1981 till:07/30/1984 color:tour
bar:Bobby from:06/01/1987 till:06/01/1992 color:tour

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bar:Don from:01/01/1979 till:10/01/1981 color:lvocals
bar:Don from:10/01/1981 till:06/01/1987 color:guitar
bar:Don from:06/01/1992 till:end color:guitar
bar:Don from:01/01/1974 till:01/01/1979 color:bvocals
bar:SteveM from:04/01/1986 till:06/01/1987 color:bvocals
bar:Danny from:06/01/1987 till:11/01/2018 color:bvocals
bar:Bobby from:06/01/1987 till:end color:lvocals
bar:Barry from:01/01/2014 till:end color:bvocals
bar:Jerry from:01/01/2019 till:end color:bvocals
bar:Carol from:start till:06/01/1987 color:bvocals
bar:Lynn from:04/01/1986 till:06/01/1987 color:bvocals
bar:Dale from:start till:02/01/1979 color:bvocals
bar:Nancy from:02/01/1979 till:01/01/1981 color:bvocals
bar:Lu from:01/01/1981 till:07/30/1984 color:bvocals

width:7
bar:Danny from:06/01/1987 till:11/01/2018 color:keys
bar:Max from:06/01/1987 till:06/01/1992 color:keys
bar:SteveM from:04/01/1986 till:06/01/1987 color:keys
bar:Bobby from:06/01/1987 till:06/01/1992 color:keys
}}

== Discography ==
{{Main|38 Special discography}}

=== Studio albums ===
* ''[[38 Special (album)|38 Special]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Special Delivery (38 Special album)|Special Delivery]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Rockin' into the Night]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Wild-Eyed Southern Boys]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Special Forces (38 Special album)|Special Forces]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Tour de Force (38 Special album)|Tour de Force]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Strength in Numbers (38 Special album)|Strength in Numbers]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Rock & Roll Strategy]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Bone Against Steel]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Resolution (38 Special album)|Resolution]]'' (1997)
* ''[[A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Drivetrain (album)|Drivetrain]]'' (2004)

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Official website|http://www.38special.com}}
*{{allMusic}}
* {{discogs artist|38 Special (2)}}
*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/melodicrockconcerts/sets/72157626772866270/ 38 Special live photo gallery]
* {{imdb name|0817431}}

{{38 Special}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:38 Special}}
[[Category:A&M Records artists]]
[[Category:Southern rock musical groups from Jacksonville, Florida]]
[[Category:American blues rock musical groups]]
[[Category:American country rock groups]]
[[Category:Arena rock musical groups]]
[[Category:Hard rock musical groups from Florida]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1974]]
[[Category:American musical sextets]]
[[Category:1974 establishments in Florida]]

← Previous revision		Revision as of 21:11, 21 December 2025
Line 32:		Line 32:

	=== 1970s ===		=== 1970s ===
	Donnie Van Zant is the younger brother of [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] co-founder and frontman [[Ronnie Van Zant]]. Donnie began playing music during his teen years. He formed a band, the Other Side, in 1965, and later Sons of Satan which changed its name to Standard Production in 1968. In 1969, he formed his first professional group, Sweet Rooster, with guitarists Jeff Carlisi (from Doomsday Refreshment Committee) and Kevin Elson,{{efn\|Elson would become the sound man for Skynyrd and 38 Special, who eventually graduated to producing [[Journey (band)\|Journey]], [[Night Ranger]] and many others.}} drummer Bill Pelkey, and Standard Production's bassist [[Ken Lyons]]. Carlisi left Sweet Rooster after graduating from high school to study architecture at [[Georgia Tech]] and was replaced by [[Don Barnes]], from a fellow band called Camelots, in 1970. Sweet Rooster evolved into Alice Marr with Van Zant, Barnes, Elson, Pelkey, bassist Larry Steele and keyboardist [[Billy Powell]], who soon moved on to being a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd before joining them as their pianist.		Donnie Van Zant is the younger brother of [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] co-founder and frontman [[Ronnie Van Zant]]. Donnie began playing music during his teen years. He formed a band, the Other Side, in 1965, and later Sons of Satan which changed its name to Standard Production in 1968. In 1969 he formed his first professional group, Sweet Rooster, with guitarists Jeff Carlisi (from Doomsday Refreshment Committee) and Kevin Elson,{{efn\|Elson would become the sound man for Skynyrd and 38 Special, who eventually graduated to producing [[Journey (band)\|Journey]], [[Night Ranger]] and many others.}} drummer Bill Pelkey, and Standard Production's bassist [[Ken Lyons]]. Carlisi left Sweet Rooster after graduating from high school to study architecture at [[Georgia Tech]] and was replaced by [[Don Barnes]], from a fellow band called Camelots, in 1970. Sweet Rooster evolved into Alice Marr with Van Zant, Barnes, Elson, Pelkey, bassist Larry Steele and keyboardist [[Billy Powell]], who soon moved on to being a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd before joining them as their pianist.

	In the meantime, Van Zant, Barnes and Lyons, while continuing to work their day jobs as well as their musical careers, began composing original songs. By 1974, they decided to form "the ultimate band" that would be their "one last shot" at success. Briefly, Van Zant was considering a higher-paying position for the railroad at which he worked, but was finally convinced by brother Ronnie to stick with music since it was "in his blood".{{~~Citation needed~~\|date=~~October 2021~~}}		In the meantime, Van Zant, Barnes and Lyons, while continuing to work their day jobs as well as their musical careers, began composing original songs. By 1974, they decided to form "the ultimate band" that would be their "one last shot" at success. Briefly, Van Zant was considering a higher-paying position for the railroad at which he worked, but was finally convinced by brother Ronnie to stick with music since it was "in his blood".<ref>{{cite web \|title=This Rock Band QUIETLY RULED the 80s with 16 Hits...Yet NOBODY Remembers Them! \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg2TiKURZgw \|access-date=2025-08-12 \|website=YouTube}}</ref>

	The new group ~~constisted~~ of Van Zant, Barnes, Steele (who dropped out almost immediately, to be replaced by Lyons, later returning as the group's stage manager), drummer Brookins (who had played with Van Zant in Sons of Satan), second drummer Jack Grondin (a New Jersey native who was attending [[Jacksonville University]] at the time) and a returning Carlisi.<ref name="LarkinHM">{{cite book\|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music\|The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal]]\|editor=Colin Larkin\|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)\|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]\|date=1995\|edition=Second\|isbn=0-85112-656-1\|page=360/1}}</ref> The band's name was thought up after an incident which found the boys practicing in a warehouse out in the middle of nowhere. When police arrived after being notified by locals of the noise, the band members were unable to come out because of a padlock on the door. One of the cops said, "That's all right. We'll let this [[.38 Special\|.38 special]] do the talking", and shot off the lock.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SXG-LFW4o&t=1m20s .38 Special's Don Barnes talks Hold on Loosely], Decades TV Network (YouTube channel, uploaded November 16, 2018)</ref>		The new group consisted of Van Zant, Barnes, Steele (who dropped out almost immediately, to be replaced by Lyons, later returning as the group's stage manager), drummer Brookins (who had played with Van Zant in Sons of Satan), second drummer Jack Grondin (a New Jersey native who was attending [[Jacksonville University]] at the time) and a returning Carlisi.<ref name="LarkinHM">{{cite book\|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music\|The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal]]\|editor=Colin Larkin\|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)\|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]\|date=1995\|edition=Second\|isbn=0-85112-656-1\|page=360/1}}</ref> The band's name was thought up after an incident which found the boys practicing in a warehouse out in the middle of nowhere. When police arrived after being notified by locals of the noise, the band members were unable to come out because of a padlock on the door. One of the cops said, "That's all right. We'll let this [[.38 Special\|.38 special]] do the talking", and shot off the lock.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SXG-LFW4o&t=1m20s .38 Special's Don Barnes talks Hold on Loosely], Decades TV Network (YouTube channel, uploaded November 16, 2018)</ref>

	Now that they had their name, the group spent most of 1975 and 1976 playing a steady grind of one-nighters, mostly in the South and the Midwest. Eventually, big brother Ronnie, who had hooked the boys up with [[Phil Walden]]'s [[Paragon Booking Agency]], who had worked with Skynyrd, figured Donnie and the gang had paid enough dues and set them up with Skynryd's manager Peter Rudge, who also handled [[the Who]] and was tour manager for [[the Rolling Stones]]. Rudge quickly set the group up to open shows for popular acts such as [[Peter Frampton]], [[Foghat]] and [[Kiss (band)\|Kiss]], and got them signed to [[A&M Records]], who assigned [[Dan Hartman]] (of [[Edgar Winter Group]] fame) to produce their first album, ''[[.38 Special (album)\|.38 Special]]'', which was released in May 1977.<ref name="LarkinHM" />		Now that they had their name, the group spent most of 1975 and 1976 playing a steady grind of one-nighters, mostly in the South and the Midwest. Eventually, big brother Ronnie, who had hooked the boys up with [[Phil Walden]]'s [[Paragon Booking Agency]], who had worked with Skynyrd, figured Donnie and the gang had paid enough dues and set them up with Skynryd's manager Peter Rudge, who also handled [[the Who]] and was tour manager for [[the Rolling Stones]]. Rudge quickly set the group up to open shows for popular acts such as [[Peter Frampton]], [[Foghat]] and [[Kiss (band)\|Kiss]], and got them signed to [[A&M Records]], who assigned [[Dan Hartman]] (of [[Edgar Winter Group]] fame) to produce their first album, ''[[.38 Special (album)\|.38 Special]]'', which was released in May 1977.<ref name="LarkinHM" />

	During the record's recording, bassist Ken Lyons had decided to leave the band due to domestic troubles and was replaced by their friend, roadie and original [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] member [[Larry Junstrom]]. Also in 1977, the band added two female backup singers, Carol Bristow and Dale Krantz. Krantz was replaced by Nancy Henderson (1979–1981), Lu Moss (1981–1984) and then Lynn Hineman (1986–1987), before backup singers were dispensed with in 1987.{{Citation needed\|date=October 2021}}		During the record's recording, bassist Ken Lyons had decided to leave the band due to domestic troubles and was replaced by their friend, roadie and original [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] member [[Larry Junstrom]]. Also in 1977, the band added two female backup singers, Carol Bristow and Dale Krantz. Krantz (who left to front [[Rossington Collins Band]]) was replaced by Nancy Henderson (1979–1981), Lu Moss (1981–1984) and then Lynn Hineman (1986–1987), before backup singers were dispensed with in 1987.{{Citation needed\|date=October 2021}}

	In October 1977 Ronnie Van Zant was killed when [[Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash\|Skynyrd's plane crashed]]. Donnie wrote "Take Me Back" as a tribute to his brother, which appeared on the band's second album, ''[[Special Delivery (38 Special album)\|Special Delivery]]'' (March 1978), also produced by Hartman.<ref name="LarkinHM" />		In October 1977 Ronnie Van Zant was killed when [[Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash\|Skynyrd's plane crashed]]. Donnie wrote "Take Me Back" as a tribute to his brother, which appeared on the band's second album, ''[[Special Delivery (38 Special album)\|Special Delivery]]'' (March 1978), also produced by Hartman.<ref name="LarkinHM" />

	=== 1980–1999 ===		=== 1980–1999 ===
	The band's first two albums had a strong [[Southern rock]] influence. By the early 1980s, .38 Special had shifted to a more accessible guitar-driven [[arena rock]] style without completely abandoning the Southern rock roots.<ref name="LarkinHM" /> The change also involved Don Barnes ~~replacing~~ Donnie Van Zant on lead vocals.<ref>{{cite web \|title=38 Special \|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1974245-38-Special-38-Special \|publisher=Discogs \|access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|last1=Wardlaw \|first1=Matt \|title=45 Years Ago: 38 Special Begin Journey Toward a New Sound\|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/38-special-debut-album/ \|website=Ultimate Classic Rock.com \|publisher=ultimateclassicrock.com \|access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref> This shift helped to usher in a string of successful albums and singles. Engineer [[Rodney Mills]], who had worked with [[Atlanta Rhythm Section]] and others, assumed the producer's reins, and [[Survivor (band)\|Survivor]] co-founder [[Jim Peterik]] became a frequent songwriting collaborator with the band from 1979 on, which helped account for this change in sound and subsequent success.		The band's first two albums had a strong [[Southern rock]] influence. But by the early 1980s, .38 Special had shifted to a more accessible guitar-driven [[arena rock]] style without completely abandoning the Southern rock roots.<ref name="LarkinHM" /> The change also involved Don Barnes taking over from frontman Donnie Van Zant on many of the lead vocals.<ref>{{cite web \|title=38 Special \|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1974245-38-Special-38-Special \|publisher=Discogs \|access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|last1=Wardlaw \|first1=Matt \|title=45 Years Ago: 38 Special Begin Journey Toward a New Sound\|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/38-special-debut-album/ \|website=Ultimate Classic Rock.com \|publisher=ultimateclassicrock.com \|access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref> This shift helped to usher in a string of successful albums and singles. Engineer [[Rodney Mills]], who had worked with [[Atlanta Rhythm Section]] and others, assumed the producer's reins, and [[Survivor (band)\|Survivor]] co-founder [[Jim Peterik]] became a frequent songwriting collaborator with the band from 1979 on, which helped account for this change in sound and subsequent success.

	"[[Rockin' into the Night (song)\|Rockin' into the Night]]", the title track from the group's third album (released in October 1979), which Peterik and his bandmates had originally written for [[Survivor (band)\|Survivor]], found its way to 38 Special's manager, Mark Spector (who'd left his job at [[A&M Records]] to manage the group), and was given to the band. Sung by 38's guitarist Don Barnes (who would sing lead vocals on ~~all~~ of the band's hits through 1987), the tune became their first song to receive national airplay, peaking at No. 43 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)\|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100\|Hot 100]] in early 1980.<ref name="LarkinHM" />		"[[Rockin' into the Night (song)\|Rockin' into the Night]]", the title track from the group's third album (released in October 1979), which Peterik and his bandmates had originally written for [[Survivor (band)\|Survivor]], found its way to 38 Special's manager, Mark Spector (who'd left his job at [[A&M Records]] to manage the group), and was given to the band. Sung by 38's guitarist Don Barnes (who would sing lead vocals on most of the band's hits through 1987), the tune became their first song to receive national airplay, peaking at No. 43 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)\|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100\|Hot 100]] in early 1980.<ref name="LarkinHM" />

	That paved the way for their platinum-selling fourth record, ''[[Wild-Eyed Southern Boys]]'' (January 1981), and its bigger hit "[[Hold On Loosely]]" (which reached No. 27 in 1981).<ref name="LarkinHM" /> Their next release, ''[[Special Forces (.38 Special album)\|Special Forces]]'' (May 1982),<ref name="LarkinHM" /> contained the Top 10 hit "[[Caught Up in You]]" (just like "Hold On Loosely", composed by Barnes, Carlisi, and Peterik), which hit No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Rock Tracks chart, as did the single "If I'd Been the One" (October 1983) from their November 1983 release ''[[Tour de Force (38 Special album)\|Tour de Force]]''. "You Keep Runnin' Away" (August 1982) and "Back Where You Belong" (February 1984) continued the sequence of hit radio favorites.		That paved the way for their platinum-selling fourth record, ''[[Wild-Eyed Southern Boys]]'' (January 1981), and its bigger hit "[[Hold On Loosely]]" (which reached No. 27 in 1981).<ref name="LarkinHM" /> Their next release, ''[[Special Forces (.38 Special album)\|Special Forces]]'' (May 1982),<ref name="LarkinHM" /> contained the Top 10 hit "[[Caught Up in You]]" (just like "Hold On Loosely", composed by Barnes, Carlisi, and Peterik), which hit No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Rock Tracks chart, as did the single "If I'd Been the One" (October 1983) from their November 1983 release ''[[Tour de Force (38 Special album)\|Tour de Force]]''. "You Keep Runnin' Away" (August 1982) and "Back Where You Belong" (February 1984) continued the sequence of hit radio favorites.
Line 80:		Line 80:
	{{col-break}}		{{col-break}}
	=== Current members ===		=== Current members ===
	* [[Don Barnes]] – lead and backing vocals, ~~lead and rhythm~~ guitar, harmonica, mandolin, piano <small>(1974–1987, 1992–present)</small>		* [[Don Barnes]] – lead and backing vocals, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, piano <small>(1974–1987, 1992–present)</small>
	* Bobby Capps – keyboards, backing and lead vocals <small>(1991–present)</small>		* Bobby Capps – keyboards, backing and lead vocals <small>(1991–present)</small>
	* Gary "Madman" Moffatt – drums, percussion <small>(1996–present)</small>		* Gary "Madman" Moffatt – drums, percussion <small>(1996–present)</small>
	* [[Barry Dunaway]] – bass, backing vocals <small>(2014–present; touring substitute 2011, 2013)</small>		* [[Barry Dunaway]] – bass, backing vocals <small>(2014–present; touring substitute 2011, 2013)</small>
	* [[Jerry Riggs]] – ~~lead~~ guitar, backing vocals <small>(2019–present)</small>		* [[Jerry Riggs]] – guitar, backing vocals <small>(2019–present)</small>

	=== Touring musicians ===		=== Touring musicians ===
Line 100:		Line 100:
	=== Former members ===		=== Former members ===
	* [[Donnie Van Zant]] – lead and backing vocals, occasional guitar <small>(1974–2013)</small>		* [[Donnie Van Zant]] – lead and backing vocals, occasional guitar <small>(1974–2013)</small>
	* Jeff Carlisi – ~~lead~~ guitar <small>(1974–1997)</small>		* Jeff Carlisi – guitar <small>(1974–1997)</small>
	* Jack Grondin – drums, percussion <small>(1974–1991)</small>		* Jack Grondin – drums, percussion <small>(1974–1991)</small>
	* Steve Brookins – drums, percussion <small>(1974–1987)</small>		* Steve Brookins – drums, percussion <small>(1974–1987)</small>
Line 107:		Line 107:
	* Steve McRay – keyboards, harmonica, backing vocals <small>(1986–1987)</small>		* Steve McRay – keyboards, harmonica, backing vocals <small>(1986–1987)</small>
	* [[Max Carl]] – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, guitar <small>(1987–1992)</small>		* [[Max Carl]] – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, guitar <small>(1987–1992)</small>
	* [[Danny Chauncey]] – ~~lead~~ guitar, backing vocals, keyboards <small>(1987–2019)</small>		* [[Danny Chauncey]] – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards <small>(1987–2019)</small>
	* Scott Meeder – drums, percussion <small>(1991–1992)</small>		* Scott Meeder – drums, percussion <small>(1991–1992)</small>
	* [[Scott Hoffman]] – drums, percussion <small>(1992–1997)</small>		* [[Scott Hoffman]] – drums, percussion <small>(1992–1997)</small>