38 Special

38 Special is an American southern-rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in the mid-1970s. They are best known for their early-80s commercial peak (notably the album Wild-Eyed Southern Boys and the single "Hold On Loosely") and for a dual-guitar, dual-vocal approach.

Reviews and public records note founding and long-serving members such as Donnie Van Zant and Don Barnes sharing lead vocals, guitarist Jeff Carlisi, and bassist Larry Junstrom; Max Carl joined later as a vocalist/keyboardist. The band enjoyed greatest commercial success in the early 1980s with singles like "Hold On Loosely" and "Caught Up in You" and continued touring with lineup changes.

DeBaser reviews trace 38 Special from competent late-70s beginnings to an 80s high point centered on sharp riffs and melodic hard rock. The band's strengths are twin guitars, tight arrangements, and radio-ready hooks. Criticisms focus on 80s/2000s production choices and occasional loss of raw Southern feel. Lineup changes and periods of commercial pivot (AOR/pop) are recurrent themes.

For:Listeners of southern rock, classic rock fans, guitar-oriented rock aficionados