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38 Special, often stylized as .38 Special or spelled out as Thirty-eight Special, is an American
rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...
band formed in
Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville ( ) is the most populous city proper in the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida, northeastern Florida. It is the county seat of Duval County, Florida, Duval County, with which the City of Jacksonv ...
, in 1974 by singer-guitarists Donald Newton "Donnie" Van Zant (born June 11, 1952) and Richard Donald "Don" Barnes (born December 3, 1952). They are known for their hit songs, including "
Hold On Loosely "Hold On Loosely" is a song by American rock band .38 Special, released by A&M Records on their 1981 studio album '' Wild-Eyed Southern Boys''. Release Released as the lead single from the album, the song reached No. 3 on the US ''Billboard'' ...
" and " Caught Up in You", among various other
Top 40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is a list of the 40 currently most popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "To ...
hits on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 during the 1980s and early 1990s, including “
Fantasy Girl "Fantasy Girl" is a song by American rock band 38 Special and the second single from their fourth studio album '' Wild-Eyed Southern Boys'' (1981). Composition "Fantasy Girl" is a midtempo song composed of "melodic guitar lines" and includes a gu ...
”, "
Rockin' into the Night ''Rockin' into the Night'' is the third studio album by the Southern rock band 38 Special, released in 1979. The title track, written by three members of Survivor, became the band's first big hit (peaking at #43 during a nine-week run on the ''B ...
", "
You Keep Runnin' Away "You Keep Runnin' Away" is a song by American rock band 38 Special and the second single from their fifth studio album ''Special Forces'' (1982). Critical reception Mark Coleman of ''Rolling Stone'' considered the song one of the few "minor deli ...
", "
If I'd Been the One "If I'd Been the One" is a song by American rock band 38 Special and the lead single from their sixth studio album '' Tour de Force'' (1983). Critical reception Bret Adams of AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) ...
", "
Back Where You Belong "Back Where You Belong" is a song by American rock band 38 Special and the second single from their sixth studio album '' Tour de Force'' (1983). Composition "Back Where You Belong" is a Southern rock song that combines guitars and keyboards in t ...
", " Teacher, Teacher", "
Like No Other Night "Like No Other Night" is a song by American rock band 38 Special and the lead single from their seventh studio album '' Strength in Numbers'' (1986). Critical reception Mike DeGagne of AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide ...
", " Second Chance" and "
The Sound of Your Voice ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The' ...
".


History


1970s

Donnie Van Zant is the younger brother of
Lynyrd Skynyrd Lynyrd Skynyrd (, ) is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. The group originally formed as My Backyard and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom ...
co-founder and frontman
Ronnie Van Zant Ronald Wayne Van Zant (January 15, 1948 – October 20, 1977) was an American singer, best known as the founding lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was the older brother of Johnny Van Zant, the cu ...
. 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, drummer Bill Pelkey and Standard Productions bassist Ken Lyons. Carlisi left Sweet Rooster after graduating high school to study architecture at
Georgia Tech The Georgia Institute of Technology (commonly referred to as Georgia Tech, GT, and simply Tech or the Institute) is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Established in 1885, it has the lar ...
and was replaced by
Don Barnes Richard Donald Barnes (born December 3, 1952) is an American rock vocalist and guitarist and one of the founding members of the Southern rock band 38 Special. Barnes performed lead vocals on nearly all of the group's biggest hits, including "R ...
, 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 William Norris Powell (June 3, 1952 – January 28, 2009) was an American musician and the keyboardist of southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2009. Biography Early life Powell was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. He gr ...
, 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". 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 Jacksonville University (JU) is a private university in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Located in the city's Arlington (Jacksonville), Arlington district, the school was founded in 1934 as a two-year college and was known as Jacksonvill ...
at the time) and a returning Carlisi. 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 do the talking", and shot off the lock. 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 Phil Walden (January 11, 1940 – April 23, 2006) was a co-founder of the Macon, Georgia-based Capricorn Records, along with former Atlantic Records executive Frank Fenter. Biography Walden received his undergraduate degree in economics from Ma ...
'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 The Who are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup (1964–1978) consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. Considered one of th ...
and was tour manager for
the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...
. Rudge quickly set the group up to open shows for popular acts such as
Peter Frampton Peter Kenneth Frampton (born 22 April 1950) is an English-American guitarist, singer, and songwriter who rose to prominence as a member of the rock bands the Herd and Humble Pie. Later in his career, Frampton found significant success as a s ...
,
Foghat Foghat are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1971. The band is known for the use of electric slide guitar in its music. Their best known song is the 1975 hit "Slow Ride". The band has released 17 studio albums, including ei ...
and
Kiss A kiss is the touching or pressing of one's lips against another person, animal or object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely; depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sex ...
, and got them signed to
A&M Records A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group and functions as a branch of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Interscope-Geffen-A&M. Established in 1962 by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, the label initially operated independent ...
, who assigned
Dan Hartman Daniel Earl Hartman (December 8, 1950 – March 22, 1994) was an American pop rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer, and songwriter and original frontman for several bands, including the Soploids, Mak and the Turnarounds, Our Wri ...
(of Edgar Winter Group fame) to produce their first album, '' .38 Special'', which was released in May 1977. 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 Lynyrd Skynyrd (, ) is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. The group originally formed as My Backyard and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom ...
member
Larry Junstrom Lawrence Edward Junstrom (June 22, 1949 – October 5, 2019) was an American bassist who was a member of the rock band .38 Special from 1977 until 2014. He was also one of the founding members of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Early ...
. 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. In October 1977 Ronnie Van Zant was killed when 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'' (March 1978), also produced by Hartman.


1980–1999

The band's first two albums had a strong
Southern rock Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music and a genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitars and vocals. History 1950s and 1960s: origin ...
influence. By the early 1980s, .38 Special had shifted to a more accessible guitar-driven
arena rock Arena rock (also known as stadium rock, pomp rock or corporate rock) is a style of rock music that became mainstream in the 1970s. It typically involves radio-friendly rock music that was designed to be played for large audiences. As hard rock ...
style without completely abandoning the Southern rock roots. The change also involved Don Barnes replacing Donnie Van Zant on lead vocals. This shift helped to usher in a string of successful albums and singles. Engineer
Rodney Mills Rodney Mills is an American mastering engineer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been involved in the music industry for over 50 years and has earned over 50 gold and platinum records for engineering, producing, and mastering. Biography A ...
, who had worked with
Atlanta Rhythm Section Atlanta Rhythm Section (or ARS) is an American Southern rock band formed in 1970 by Rodney Justo (singer), Barry Bailey (guitar), Paul Goddard (bass), Dean Daughtry (keyboards), Robert Nix (drummer), Robert Nix (drums) and J. R. Cobb (guitar). ...
and others, assumed the producer's reins, and
Survivor Survivor(s) may refer to: * one who survives Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities * Survivors, characters in the 1997 KKnD series#Armies, ''KKnD'' video-game series * ''The Survivors'', or the ''New Survivors Foundation'', a fictional ...
co-founder
Jim Peterik James Michael Peterik ( ; born November 11, 1950) is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the founder of the rock band Survivor, as vocalist and guitarist in The Ides of March, and as co-writer of the anthem "Eye of the Tige ...
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 ''Rockin' into the Night'' is the third studio album by the Southern rock band 38 Special, released in 1979. The title track, written by three members of Survivor, became the band's first big hit (peaking at #43 during a nine-week run on the ''B ...
", the title track from the group's third album (released in October 1979), which Peterik and his bandmates had originally written for
Survivor Survivor(s) may refer to: * one who survives Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities * Survivors, characters in the 1997 KKnD series#Armies, ''KKnD'' video-game series * ''The Survivors'', or the ''New Survivors Foundation'', a fictional ...
, found its way to 38 Special's manager, Mark Spector (who'd left his job at
A&M Records A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group and functions as a branch of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Interscope-Geffen-A&M. Established in 1962 by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, the label initially operated independent ...
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 A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
''
Hot 100 The ''Billboard'' Hot 100, also known as simply the Hot 100, is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), o ...
in early 1980. This paved the way for their platinum-selling fourth record, '' Wild-Eyed Southern Boys'' (January 1981), and its bigger hit "
Hold On Loosely "Hold On Loosely" is a song by American rock band .38 Special, released by A&M Records on their 1981 studio album '' Wild-Eyed Southern Boys''. Release Released as the lead single from the album, the song reached No. 3 on the US ''Billboard'' ...
" (which reached No. 27 in 1981). Their next release, ''
Special Forces Special forces or special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...
'' (May 1982), 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''. "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", from the soundtrack of the 1984 film ''
Teachers A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...
'', written by
Jim Vallance James Douglas Vallance (born May 31, 1952) is a Canadian songwriter, arranger and producer. He is best known as the songwriting partner of Canadian musician Bryan Adams. Vallance began his professional career as the original drummer and main song ...
and
Bryan Adams Bryan Guy Adams (born November 5, 1959) is a British and Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and photographer. He is estimated to have sold between 75 million and more than 100 million album, records and Single (music), si ...
. The song climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Top Tracks Chart, spending ten weeks on the chart. In 1984 38 Special toured with the up-and-coming
Huey Lewis and the News Huey Lewis and the News (formerly known as Huey Lewis & The American Express) are an American rock band based in San Francisco, California. They had a run of hit singles during the 1980s and early 1990s, eventually achieving 19 top ten singl ...
, who were just breaking huge with their ''
Sports Sport is a physical activity or game, often competitive and organized, that maintains or improves physical ability and skills. Sport may provide enjoyment to participants and entertainment to spectators. The number of participants in ...
'' album, and in 1986 they shared the bill with the soon-to-be-platinum-selling hard rock band
Bon Jovi Bon Jovi is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Sayreville, New Jersey in 1983. The band consists of singer Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarists John Shanks and Phil X, percussionist Everett Bradley ...
. 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. 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 San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...
guitarist Danny Chauncey, after drummer Steve Brookins also decided to leave, and singer/keyboardist
Max Carl Max Carl Gronenthal (born January 29, 1950) is an American rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter. He is the co-lead singer of the classic rock band Grand Funk Railroad. In addition, he spent several years as the keyboardist and lea ...
, from West Coast
rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated within African American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predomina ...
group Jack Mack & the Heart Attack. The next release, '' Rock & Roll Strategy'' (June 1988), 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" (taken from ''Rock & Roll Strategy'') was a No. 1 hit on ''Billboards
adult contemporary chart The Adult Contemporary chart is published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine and lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary radio stations in the United States. The chart is compiled based on airplay data submitted to ''Billboard'' by stati ...
in early 1989. Carl was also lead singer on "The Sound of Your Voice" ( ''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 Charisma Records (also known as The Famous Charisma Label) was a British record label founded in 1969 by former journalist Tony Stratton Smith. He had previously acted as manager for rock bands such as The Nice, the Bonzo Dog Band and Van d ...
. That same year,
Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the West South Central region of the Southern United States. It borders Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, Texas to the southwest, and Oklahoma ...
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 Donald Baldwin (born June 22, 1951) is an American drummer best known as a member of Jefferson Starship (1982–1984; 2008–present) and its continuation Starship (band), Starship (1984–1989). Early life Baldwin was raised in Palo Alto, Ca ...
(ex-
Jefferson Starship Jefferson Starship is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1974 by a group of musicians including former members of Jefferson Airplane. Between 1974 and 1984, they released eight RIAA certification, gold or Music rec ...
) filled in for Hoffman on some 1996 tour dates after Hoffman was down with a broken arm, but Gary "Madman" Moffatt (formerly of
Cactus A cactus (: cacti, cactuses, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae (), a family of the order Caryophyllales comprising about 127 genera with some 1,750 known species. The word ''cactus'' derives, through Latin, ...
) has been the band's drummer since 1997. 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 Big People, which also featured
Benjamin Orr Benjamin Orr (, September 8, 1947 – October 3, 2000) was an American musician. He was best known as the bassist, co-lead vocalist, and co-founder of the band the Cars. He sang lead vocals on several of their hits, including "Just What I Nee ...
(from
the Cars The Cars were an American Rock music, rock band formed in Boston in 1976. Emerging from the New wave music, new wave Subculture, scene in the late 1970s, they consisted of Ric Ocasek (rhythm guitar), Benjamin Orr (bass guitar), Elliot Easton (l ...
),
Liberty DeVitto Liberatori "Liberty" DeVitto (born August 8, 1950) is an American rock drummer. He is best known for his work as a drummer for singer-songwriter Billy Joel's recording and touring band. He has been a session drummer on recordings of other artists ...
(from
Billy Joel William Martin Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Piano Man" after his Signature song, signature 1973 song Piano Man (song), of the same name, Joel has ha ...
's band), Derek St. Holmes (ex-
Ted Nugent Theodore Anthony Nugent (; born December 13, 1948) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and political activist. He goes by several nicknames, including Uncle Ted, the Nuge, and Motor City Madman. Nugent initially gained fame as the le ...
) and
Pat Travers Patrick Henry Travers (born April 12, 1954) is a Canadian rock guitarist, singer and songwriter who began his recording career in the mid-1970s. Early life Travers was born and raised in Toronto. Soon after picking up the guitar at age 12, h ...
. Unfortunately Big People failed to launch after the death of Benjamin Orr in 2000. Through the small
Razor & Tie Razor & Tie was an American entertainment company that consisted of a record label and a music publishing company. It was established in 1990 by Craig Balsam and Cliff Chenfeld. Based in New York City (with additional offices in Los Angeles and ...
label, 38 Special released "Fade to Blue" from the album '' Resolution'' (The last album to feature Carlisi, released in June 1997). The single hit No. 33 on the Mainstream Rock chart in 1997. Since 1997's ''Resolution'', two more releases have followed on the
CMC International CMC International was an American independent record label founded by Bill Cain and Tom Lipsky in 1991, focused mainly on classic rock, and classic heavy metal. The label was the haven of many hard rock, arena rock, thrash metal, glam metal, an ...
and
Sanctuary Records Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and is, as of 2013, a subsidiary of BMG Rights Management solely for reissues. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest ...
labels, respectively '' A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night'' (September 2001) and ''
Drivetrain A drivetrain (also frequently spelled as drive train or sometimes drive-train) or transmission system, is the group of components that deliver mechanical power from the prime mover to the driven components. In automotive engineering, the driv ...
'' (July 2004).


2000s–present

In 2007 .38 Special was the opening act on
Lynyrd Skynyrd Lynyrd Skynyrd (, ) is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. The group originally formed as My Backyard and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom ...
and
Hank Williams Jr. Randall Hank Williams (born May 26, 1949), known professionally as Hank Williams Jr. or Bocephus, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style has been described as a blend of rock, blues, and country. He is the son of count ...
's Rowdy Frynds Tour. Also, on September 27, 2008, they filmed a
CMT Crossroads ''CMT Crossroads'' is an American television program broadcast on CMT that pairs country music artists with musicians from other music genres such as alternative rock, pop, R&B, Rock, soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, ...
special with country singer
Trace Adkins Tracy Darrell Adkins (born January 13, 1962) known professionally as Trace Adkins, is an American country music singer and actor. Adkins made his debut in 1996 with the album ''Dreamin' Out Loud'', released on Capitol Records Nashville. Since t ...
, performing both artists' hits from over the years. In 2009 .38 Special opened for
REO Speedwagon REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. Speedwagon), or simply REO, was an American Rock music, rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial suc ...
and
Styx In Greek mythology, Styx (; ; lit. "Shuddering"), also called the River Styx, is a goddess and one of the rivers of the Greek Underworld. Her parents were the Titans Oceanus and Tethys, and she was the wife of the Titan Pallas and the moth ...
as part of the "Can't Stop Rockin' Tour". 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. In 2012 original bassist Ken Lyons died at age 59. In 2014 longtime bassist Larry Junstrom was replaced by
Barry Dunaway Barry Dunaway is an American rock bassist, vocalist, and composer. His professional music career dates back to his early 1970s roles in groups Cheyenne and Bittersweet, and he performed with bands fronted by artists Pat Travers, Joe Lynn Turner, an ...
(a veteran of many classic rock groups, including Pat Travers Band,
Yngwie Malmsteen Yngwie Johan Malmsteen (; born Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck, on 30 June 1963) is a Swedish-American guitarist. He first became known in the 1980s for his neoclassical metal, neoclassical playing style in heavy metal music, heavy metal, and has ...
and
Survivor Survivor(s) may refer to: * one who survives Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities * Survivors, characters in the 1997 KKnD series#Armies, ''KKnD'' video-game series * ''The Survivors'', or the ''New Survivors Foundation'', a fictional ...
). 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. Since 2019, the band's lineup has consisted of
Don Barnes Richard Donald Barnes (born December 3, 1952) is an American rock vocalist and guitarist and one of the founding members of the Southern rock band 38 Special. Barnes performed lead vocals on nearly all of the group's biggest hits, including "R ...
, keyboardist/vocalist Bobby Capps, drummer Gary Moffatt, Dunaway, and guitarist
Jerry Riggs Jerry Riggs is an American rock guitarist and vocalist. Biography Riggs began his musical career as lead guitarist for the Knoxville, Tennessee group Lynx, a bar band in the mid-1970s. The band, featuring Michael Byassee on vocals, soon reloca ...
. This leaves Don Barnes as the only original member, although Barnes was absent from the band from 1987 until 1992. Larry Junstrom died on October 6, 2019, at age 70. In 2022 bassist Paul Drennan filled in for
Barry Dunaway Barry Dunaway is an American rock bassist, vocalist, and composer. His professional music career dates back to his early 1970s roles in groups Cheyenne and Bittersweet, and he performed with bands fronted by artists Pat Travers, Joe Lynn Turner, an ...
.


Band members


Current members

*
Don Barnes Richard Donald Barnes (born December 3, 1952) is an American rock vocalist and guitarist and one of the founding members of the Southern rock band 38 Special. Barnes performed lead vocals on nearly all of the group's biggest hits, including "R ...
– 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 Barry Dunaway is an American rock bassist, vocalist, and composer. His professional music career dates back to his early 1970s roles in groups Cheyenne and Bittersweet, and he performed with bands fronted by artists Pat Travers, Joe Lynn Turner, an ...
– bass, backing vocals (2014–present; touring substitute 2011, 2013) *
Jerry Riggs Jerry Riggs is an American rock guitarist and vocalist. Biography Riggs began his musical career as lead guitarist for the Knoxville, Tennessee group Lynx, a bar band in the mid-1970s. The band, featuring Michael Byassee on vocals, soon reloca ...
– 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 Donald Baldwin (born June 22, 1951) is an American drummer best known as a member of Jefferson Starship (1982–1984; 2008–present) and its continuation Starship (band), Starship (1984–1989). Early life Baldwin was raised in Palo Alto, Ca ...
– drums, percussion (1996; filled in for Scott Hoffman) * Paul Drennan (Drennen) – bass, backing vocals (2022; filled in for
Barry Dunaway Barry Dunaway is an American rock bassist, vocalist, and composer. His professional music career dates back to his early 1970s roles in groups Cheyenne and Bittersweet, and he performed with bands fronted by artists Pat Travers, Joe Lynn Turner, an ...
)


Former members

*
Donnie Van Zant Donald Newton Van Zant (born June 11, 1952) is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known as a member of the band 38 Special, from its formation in 1974 until 2013. Van Zant was the original lead vocalist for ...
– 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) *
Larry Junstrom Lawrence Edward Junstrom (June 22, 1949 – October 5, 2019) was an American bassist who was a member of the rock band .38 Special from 1977 until 2014. He was also one of the founding members of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Early ...
– bass, occasional guitar (1977–2014; died 2019) * Steve McRay – keyboards, harmonica, backing vocals (1986–1987) *
Max Carl Max Carl Gronenthal (born January 29, 1950) is an American rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter. He is the co-lead singer of the classic rock band Grand Funk Railroad. In addition, he spent several years as the keyboardist and lea ...
– 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)


Lineups


Timeline


Discography


Studio albums

* ''
38 Special 38 Special or 0.38 Special or .38 Special, may refer to: * .38 Special, a revolver cartridge Music * 38 Special (band), an American rock band ** ''38 Special'' (album), the 1977 debut album of the band 38 Special * .38 Special (song), a 2022 ...
'' (1977) * '' Special Delivery'' (1978) * ''
Rockin' into the Night ''Rockin' into the Night'' is the third studio album by the Southern rock band 38 Special, released in 1979. The title track, written by three members of Survivor, became the band's first big hit (peaking at #43 during a nine-week run on the ''B ...
'' (1979) * '' Wild-Eyed Southern Boys'' (1981) * ''
Special Forces Special forces or special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...
'' (1982) * '' Tour de Force'' (1983) * '' Strength in Numbers'' (1986) * '' Rock & Roll Strategy'' (1988) * '' Bone Against Steel'' (1991) * '' Resolution'' (1997) * '' A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night'' (2001) * ''
Drivetrain A drivetrain (also frequently spelled as drive train or sometimes drive-train) or transmission system, is the group of components that deliver mechanical power from the prime mover to the driven components. In automotive engineering, the driv ...
'' (2004)


Notes


References


External links

* * *
38 Special live photo gallery
* {{DEFAULTSORT:38 Special A&M Records artists Southern rock musical groups from Jacksonville, Florida American blues rock musical groups American country rock groups Arena rock musical groups Hard rock musical groups from Florida Musical groups established in 1974 American musical sextets 1974 establishments in Florida