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.38 Special

.38 Special is an American rock band that was formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1974. The band was originally called "Wildcat" but changed its name to 38 Special after a gun manufacturer's advertisement in a magazine.

The band's lineup has gone through a number of changes over the years, but its core members have remained Don Barnes (vocals and guitar) and Donnie Van Zant (vocals). Other members have included Jeff Carlisi (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), Steve Brookins (drums), and Max Carl (vocals).

.38 Special's music is a blend of Southern rock, hard rock, and pop rock. The band achieved commercial success in the 1980s with a string of hit singles including "Hold On Loosely," "Caught Up in You," and "If I'd Been the One." They also released several successful albums during this time including "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys" (1981) and "Tour de Force" (1983).

The band's music has been featured in a number of movies and television shows including "The Sopranos" and "The Guardians of the Galaxy" film series. In 2018, .38 Special was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Although the band has gone through some lineup changes over the years, they continue to tour and perform today, and remain a popular live act with fans of classic rock and Southern rock.


.38 Special I (1975 - 1979)
  • Donnie Van Zant - guitar/vocals - brother of Ronnie Van Zant and Johnny Van Zant (both of Lynyrd Skynyrd).
  • Don Barnes - guitar/vocals
  • Jeff Carlisi - guitar
  • Ken Lyons - bass
  • Jack Grondin - drums
  • Steve Brookins - drums
Albums:
  1. ".38 Special" (1977)
  2. "Special Delivery" (1978)

.38 Special II (1979 - 1987)
  • Donnie Van Zant - guitar/vocals
  • Don Barnes - guitar/vocals
  • Jeff Carlisi - guitar
  • Jack Grondin - drums
  • Steve Brookins - drums
  • Larry Junstrom - bass/guitar - formerly with Me, You, and Him (with Gary Rossington and Bob Burns of Lynyrd Skynyrd).
Albums:
  1. "Rockin' Into the Night" (1979) - Singles: "Stone Cold Believer", "Rockin' Into the Night"
  2. "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys" (1981) - Singles: "Hold On Loosely", "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys", "Fantasy Girl"
  3. "Special Forces" (1982) - Singles: "Rough-Housin'", "Caught Up In You"
  4. "Tour de Force" (1983) - Singles: "If I'd Been the One", "Twentieth Century Fox", "Back Where You Belong"
  5. "Strength in Numbers" (1986) - Singles: "Like No Other Night"

.38 Special III (1987 - 1991)
  • Donnie Van Zant - guitar/vocals
  • Jeff Carlisi - guitar
  • Jack Grondin - drums
  • Larry Junstrom - bass/guitar
  • Danny Chauncey - guitar/vocals
  • Max Carl - drums/vocals
Album:
  1. "Rock & Roll Strategy" (1989)

.38 Special IV (1991 - ? )
  • Donnie Van Zant - guitar/vocals
  • Jeff Carlisi - guitar
  • Jack Grondin - drums
  • Larry Junstrom - bass/guitar
  • Danny Chauncey - guitar/vocals
  • Don Barnes - guitar/vocals
  • Scott Hoffman - drums
  • Bobby Capps - keyboards/vocals
Album:
  1. "Bone Against Steel" (1991)

.38 Special IV ( ? - ? )
  • Donnie Van Zant - guitar/vocals
  • Larry Junstrom - bass/guitar
  • Danny Chauncey - guitar/vocals
  • Don Barnes - guitar/vocals
  • Gary Moffatt - drums/percussion
  • Bobby Capps - keyboards/vocals
Album:
  1. "Resolution" (1997)

Compilations:
  1. "Flashback: Best of .38 Special" (1987)
  2. "Encore Collection: Extended Versions" (2000)
  3. "20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection" (2000)

Hartman Recommends:
There's no way you can lose with their greatest hits package "Flashback: Best of .38 Special" (1987).  There are lots of great tunes that you'll remember here, and the performances are gutsy and crisp.  This is Southern Rock at its best...highly recommended.

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Last Revised:  March 2, 2001
© 2000, 2001 by Gary S. Hartman.  All rights reserved.
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