Their album “Rock & Roll Strategy,” which was released in 1988 contained the successful single “Second Chance.” The single reached No.

1 on the Billboard Album Rock Track Chart.

Their first series of successful singles came in 1981 with the release of “Hold On Loosely” followed by “Caught Up In You” in 1982 and “If I’d Been The One” in 1983 all of which reached No. For their third album, they shifted to a more general arena rock sound, which helped them achieve success with the albums that followed.Īlongside a sound shift, there was also a lineup change with Ken Lyons no longer a member, and the addition of Larry Junstrom, Carol Bristow, and Dale Krantz. They released their first, self-titled, album in 1977 followed a year later by “Special Delivery,” both of which had a strong southern rock influence. 38 Special, and were joined by Jack Grondin, Steve Brookins, Jeff Carlisi and Ken Lyons. Recently, both Donnie Van Zant and little brother Johnnie (the current frontman of Lynyrd Skynyrd) have joined forces as Van Zant and have released an album with another in the works.Neighborhood friends Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant decided to form a band in 1974 and called it. The current lineup is comprised of vocalist Donnie Van Zant, guitarists Don Barnes and Danny Chauncey, bassist Larry Junstrom, keyboardist Bobby Capps, and drummer Gary Moffatt. They continue to tour to audiences in the American south and beyond. More recently, the group's music came back into prominence after being featured in the 2001 cult classic comedy film 'Super Troopers', with songs such as ' Trooper With An Attitude'.

These and other tracks are often played on classic rock radio stations.Īfter achieving three platinum albums and one gold album in the 80s, their popularity waned over the 90s– although their 1997 single ' Fade to Blue' hit #37 on the mainstream rock chart. Other popular singles include ' Hold On Loosely' (1981), ' Fantasy Girl' (1981), ' Back Where You Belong' (1984), and ' Somebody Like You' (1986). According to Songfacts, it was the biggest Adult Contemporary hit of 1989. By the early 19 80s, the band began incorporating elements of blues rock, pop rock, and arena rock into their sound, kicking off a string of successful albums and singles.Īmong 38 Special's best-known songs are ' Caught Up in You' (1982) and ' If I'd Been the One' (1983), both of which hit #1 on Billboard magazine's album rock chart, as well as ' Second Chance' (1989), a #1 hit on Billboard's adult contemporary chart. Formed by vocalist Donnie Van Zant in 1975 in Jacksonville, Florida, the band initially had a straight-ahead Southern rock sound, much like Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band of his older brother Ronnie.

Rock band 38 special