38 Special

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38 Special is an American rock band. 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. By the early 1980s, 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.

Among 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. According to Songfacts, it was the biggest Adult Contemporary hit of 1989. Other popular singles include "Hold On Loosely" (1981), "Fantasy Girl" (1981), "Back Where You Belong" (1984), and "Somebody Like You" (1986). These and other tracks are often played on classic rock radio stations.

Genres

Southern Rock Blues Rock Hard Rock AOR Arena Rock

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Style over time

Genres of the artist's albums over the years: the higher the line, the stronger the genre on that album

Similar artists

Artists on air on the same radio stations and in the same genres

Billy SquierEddie MoneyJohn Mellencamp

38 Special members

Current members: Don Barnes (background vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboard, lead vocals, mandolin, guitar family, original), Danny Chauncey (background vocals, guitar), Bobby Capps (background vocals, keyboard), Gary “Madman” Moffatt (membranophone, percussion), Barry Dunaway (background vocals, bass guitar)

Former members: Donnie Van Zant (background vocals, guitar family, lead vocals, original), Larry Junstrom (bass guitar, guitar), Jeff Carlisi (guitar family, original), Jack Grondin (membranophone, original, percussion), Steve Brookins (membranophone, original, percussion), Carol Bristow (background vocals), Babydaddy (membranophone, percussion), Max Carl (keyboard, lead vocals), Ken Lyons (bass guitar, original), Lu Moss (background vocals), Dale Krantz-Rossington (background vocals), Nancy Henderson (background vocals), Lynn Hineman (background vocals), Ed VanGetson (membranophone, percussion), Scott Meeder (membranophone, percussion), Steve McRay (background vocals, keyboard)