3

38 Special

Jacksonville, FL

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rock

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Times Served
Region: Southern Coastal Plain Conference: Southeast

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Did You Know

  • • .38 Special was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, originally named "The Disciples".
  • • Don Barnes, a founding member, briefly left to pursue a solo career in 1985.
  • • Their breakthrough album, 'Rockin' into the Night,' featured the title track co-written by Survivor's Jim Peterik.
  • • Despite their Southern rock roots, they achieved significant crossover success with AOR anthems.
  • • The band's name was inspired by guitarist Jeff Carlisi's father, who named his band the .38 Special.
  • • Their hit "Hold On Loosely" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Tracks chart in 1981.
  • • Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd is the younger brother of .38 Special's Donnie Van Zant.
  • • .38 Special contributed songs to several movie soundtracks, including 'Teachers' and 'Revenge of the Nerds'.
  • • They shared stages with legendary acts like The Rolling Stones and ZZ Top early in their career.
  • • While never winning a Grammy, .38 Special's music remains a staple of classic rock radio.
  • • .38 Special formed in Jacksonville, Florida, named after a popular handgun caliber.
  • • Donnie Van Zant, brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Ronnie, co-founded .38 Special.
  • • Their early sound was Southern rock, evolving into a more arena-rock style in the 80s.
  • • "Hold On Loosely" almost wasn't released, initially deemed too pop-oriented by the band.
  • • Jeff Carlisi's guitar riffs, influenced by jazz, helped define .38 Special's unique sound.
  • • They opened for major acts like Kiss and Aerosmith early in their career, boosting exposure.
  • • "Caught Up in You" reached #1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart in 1982.
  • • .38 Special's music appeared in films like 'Road House' and 'Melvin and Howard'.
  • • Despite line-up changes, .38 Special has continuously toured for over four decades.
  • • Their blend of Southern rock and arena rock influenced bands like Bon Jovi and Poison.

Locations in Lyrics

39 location references across 6 songs

Songs & Places

Wild-Eyed Southern Boys
Detroit, MI The South
"He's got a champagne Eldorado"
Hot ’lanta
Phoenix, AZ Los Angeles, CA Colorado Midwest Plains New York City, NY Mississippi River Route 66 Atlanta, GA
"I been desert hot down in Phoenix"
Little Sheba
Florida California New York City, NY New York Florida Pine Belt, FL Dixie
"Down to Florida"
Back to Paradise
Paradise, CA Paradise, TX Paradise, MI
"Take me back to paradise"
Hot Lanta
Atlanta, GA Los Angeles, CA New York City, NY Phoenix, AZ Colorado
"Hot’lanta"
Chattahoochee
Chattahoochee, FL Chattahoochee River, GA Alabama Florida
"They brought me here and said 'You're so dangerous to yourself'"

Rivers & Roads in Song Nearby

Interstate 95 19 Interstate 10 36 Cumberland River 16

Connected Places

Jacksonville, FL Atlanta, GA Los Angeles, CA New York City, NY Phoenix, AZ
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