Just as it was ready to be released, A&M Records was sold through a huge global acquisition and the company changed hands several times over the years.
#Rock band 38 special series#
The album was finished, mixed, and ready to go, but what started out as a great rock record turned into a series of disappointing twists and turns. Unfortunately, unexpected situations arose in the record business at that time and corporate transitions got in the way of the release date. We had always felt that the combination of these powerhouse players together created a very special album, a unique ‘rock classic.' Many who have heard the album say that description still remains true today. We also had the masterful veteran drummer Denny Carmassi from the band Heart, noted session keyboardist and composer Alan Pasqua from the band Giant on keyboards.along with another music titan, virtuoso guitarist and now-producer Dann Huff, all of whom brought such excellence and talent to the sessions that I just can't find enough words of praise and appreciation for them.Īdditionally, I was privileged to work and collaborate with two extremely talented producers - Martin Briley and Brian Foraker - both of whom brought a wealth of experience and cool vibe to our sessions. I set about co-writing songs and was honored to have some of the industry’s top musicians join me in the recording.Īll of these players were extraordinary talents in the music business the great Jeff Porcaro along with his brother Mike, respectively the drummer and bassist from the band Toto - and the best 'bottom-end foundation’ for any session - came on board to help forge a great rock record. A&M suggested putting several top-rated musicians in the studio with me and I would write and co-produce the project. In 2013, they were still performing more than 100 shows a year.“Over two decades ago, with years of success as lead singer and guitarist with 38 Special, I was given an opportunity by A&M Records to create a side solo project as an artist. The current lineup of 38 Special is led by Barnes. The following year he retired from music altogether. The band has primarily focused on touring since, only releasing two albums in the 2000s thus far.
1997’s Resolution did not chart and neither did its only single. Carl left the following year, with Barnes returning to the group. This would be the end of the band’s peak era.ġ991’s Bone Against Steel gave the band its final top 40 with its second single “The Sound Of Your Voice”, but the album would be their first in over a decade to not be certified gold. This pushed the album to a #61 peak and a Gold sales certification.
#Rock band 38 special full#
It was initially a failure until its third single “Second Chance” – a ballad written by Carl five years prior – became a top 10 hit almost a full year after the album had come out. In 1988, the band’s eighth album Rock & Roll Strategy featured new vocalist Max Carl alongside Donnie (and without co-founder Barnes). Their next four albums were all huge successes in the US, each being certified platinum and giving 38 Special seven top 40’s including the band’s most popular songs “Hold On Loosely”, “Caught Up in You”, “If I’d Been the One” and “Back Where You Belong”. It helped push their third album up to #57 on the Albums Chart. The result was their first hit, a rejected Survivor song named “Rockin' Into The Night” that reached #43 on the US Pop Chart.
You can’t sing about whiskey and alligators forever. There’s a difference between a Southern rock band and a band from the South. We’ve been working at escaping that categorization. We’re not just another Southern rock band. But after Ronnie’s advice of “Don’t try to be a clone of somebody else”, 38 Special began a songwriting partnership with Jim Peterik (of Survivor fame) and worked toward a more radio-friendly sound that wouldn’t abandon their southern roots. The band was barely scraping by being just one of many southern rock bands at the time. The group’s first two albums established them as a popular regional act throughout the south. Donnie Van Zandt, brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd co-founder Ronnie, founded 38 Special with Don Barnes – who had been in a few bands with him earlier.
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