38 Special

Formed in 1975 by vocalist Donnie Van Zant, .38 Special initially followed the Southern rock sound of bands like the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Transitioning to a blend of country-fried blues-rock and arena-ready hard rock in the early '80s, the band achieved success with hits like "Caught Up in You" and "Hold On Loosely." However, their popularity waned in the late '80s due to changing music trends, with their biggest hit being the 1989 ballad "Second Chance." Despite lineup changes and label shifts, .38 Special continued to tour and release music until the early '90s when they retired to the oldies circuit.

The Jacksonville-based band, featuring members like Jeff Carlisi and Don Barnes, signed with A&M Records in 1977 and released their self-titled debut. Building a following through constant touring, they found success with albums like 1979's Rockin' Into the Night and 1981's Wild-Eyed Southern Boys, which produced hits like "Hold On Loosely" and "Caught Up in You." After lineup changes and a shift towards a more polished sound, .38 Special's popularity peaked with the release of their final big hit, 1989's Rock & Roll Strategy. Despite subsequent album releases and lineup adjustments, the band's commercial success declined, leading to their eventual retirement in the early '90s.