Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, USA in 1975 by guitarist and vocalist Donnie Van Zant (b. 11 June 1952, Jacksonville, Florida, USA; brother to Johnny of the Van Zant Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Ronnie), with Don Barnes (guitar/vocals), Jeff Carlisi (guitar), drummers Steve Brookins and Jack Grondin, and Ken Lyons (bass), although the latter was replaced after the band’s first album by Larry Junstrom (ex-Lynyrd Skynyrd). In keeping with fraternal tradition the band proffered southern rock, though their sound later slipped into arena rock and AOR. Signed to A&M Records they initially had little impact outside of the southern states, but in 1979 scored a minor US hit with ‘Rockin’ Into The Night’, which was followed by an album and a major tour. Further single success followed with ‘Hold On Loosely’, the Top 10 hit ‘Caught Up In You’, ‘You Keep Runnin’ Away’, ‘If I’d Been The One’, ‘Back Where You Belong’, ‘Teacher Teacher’, ‘Like No Other Night’ and the film theme ‘Back To Paradise’ (from Revenge Of The Nerds II).
Barnes left in 1987, as did Brookins, both in attempts to launch their own bands. Danny Chauncey joined on guitar while Brookins was replaced by keyboard player Max Carl. Rock & Roll Strategy, released under the slightly revised name of Thirty Eight Special, earned strong reviews and featured the US number 6 hit ballad ‘Second Chance’, but after its release the band lost their recording contract with A&M. The release of 1991’s Bone Against Steel, their debut for Charisma Records, saw 38 Special return to a southern boogie framework without the AOR trappings but failed to win many new supporters. Subsequent personnel changes saw the return of Barnes and keyboard player Bobby Capps replacing Carl. The band went into the studio in 1997 with drummer Greg Morrow to record an album for the Razor & Tie label. New drummer Gary Moffatt featured on the subsequent live album.
