{"title":"38 Special","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e38 Special is an American rock band that was founded in 1974 in Jacksonville, Florida. Initially known for their southern rock sound, the band transitioned to a more arena rock style in the early 1980s. This shift was aided by the frequent songwriting collaboration of Survivor co-founder Jim Peterik.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith their catchy melodies and energetic performances, 38 Special has captivated audiences around the world. Their music is often compared to other iconic bands such as Molly Hatchet, Loverboy, and Head East.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you enjoy the sounds of Eddie Money, Billy Squier, or The J. Geils Band, then you'll definitely appreciate what 38 Special brings to the table. Their unique blend of southern rock and arena rock elements sets them apart from other artists in their genre.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"strength-in-numbers-rock-and-roll-strategy","title":"Strength In Numbers \/ Rock and Roll Strategy","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom 1986 and 1988 and originally released on A\u0026amp;M Records, these US Southern rockers albums both charted. The albums also produced two US Top 20 hits in Second Chance and Like No Other Night. In 2013, founder Donney Van Zant retired, but the band has kept on rocking and touring and occasionally recording.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BGO","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50383146254667,"sku":"1116605","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f0cf5561-07df-4652-915f-4ebc8a23a638_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726264490"},{"product_id":"special-forces-4","title":"Special Forces","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes to musical trends, Southern rock is one of the most enduring styles, and one that maintains a loyal and committed following. It is also very much wrapped up in the values of an era that has experienced both good and bad times, yet it continues to endure whilst other musical trends evaporated into thin air. 38 Special are not only survivors but also one of the few groups from the Southern rock genre that crossed musical barriers, producing not only hit albums but also mainstream hit singles. Fronted by Donnie Van Zant (little brother of Sknyrd frontman Ronnie) the band’s sound was immediately embraced by an audience keen to keep the music they love alive. The band’s early albums were staunchly Southern rock in sound but by this, their 5th album, melodic influences had widened their appeal. Not that they had abandoned their heritage, far from it, as ‘Special Forces’ is still very much a traditional vehicle for the rock sounds of the South. The only difference being that they were now notching up hit singles as well as hit albums. ‘Special Forces’, originally issued in 1982 (co-produced with Rodney Mills: Skynyrd, the Outlaws, Atlanta Rhythm Section) proved to be yet another career highlight, going on to reach the US top 10, achieving a platinum award and spawning, with the help of Suvivor’s Jim Peterik, the now classic hit single ‘Caught Up In You’. Arguably this album is the band’s best work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rock Candy Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50393435734347,"sku":"2047839","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/38_Special_-_Special_Forces_52a4d7cf_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726417093"},{"product_id":"wild-eyed-southern-boys-2","title":"Wild Eyed Southern Boys","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlthough the American marketplace was bursting with great Southern rock bands during the 1970s, many of them multi-platinum sellers such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Marshall Tucker Band and Molly Hatchet, there was always room for talented newcomers. For 38 Special this was manna from heaven, launching into a marketplace that was primed for regional music, shifting enormous quantities of records, and selling out big venues. Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, and fronted by Donnie Van Zant (brother of Skynyd’s Ronnie and Johnny), the band secured a deal with cool independent label A\u0026amp;M and carved out a solid reputation as one of the best Southern rock bands. But the early 1980s the movement had to face some harsh realities, as musical trends were rapidly changing. ‘Wild-Eyed Southern Boys’, their fourth album, produced by Rodney Mills (Skynyrd, the Outlaws) and originally issued in 1981, showcased the band engaged in a wider musical palette; one that paid handsome dividends and, ultimately, prolonged their commercial shelf life by some considerable time. Focussing on sharper, more hook-laden songs, the band’s sound was refined but not tampered with. They were still very much a gritty, guitar driven, down-home rock band, but with songs that could now be played on mainstream radio. Tracks like the title track, ‘Throw Out The Line’, ‘Bring It On’ and, with the help of Survivor’s Jim Peterik, the hit single ‘Hold On Loosely’ helped to propel the album into the US top 20 securing them a platinum award and a reputation second to none.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rock Candy Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50393436291403,"sku":"2047835","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/38_Special_-_Wild_Eyed_Southern_Boys_ddc4f20a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726417113"},{"product_id":"live-at-rockpalast-1981","title":"Live At Rockpalast 1981","description":"\u003cp\u003e38 Special's \u003ci\u003eLive At Rockpalast 1981\u003c\/i\u003e show (Loreley, August 29, 1981, The Outlaws, Nine Below Zero and Thin Lizzy were in the festival line-up that day as well) was off the rails, an excellent high energy show. Vocals and sound were on point. The band looked like they were having just as much fun as the audience. This show is, indeed, a memento of an exceptional performance of this legendary Southern Rock band in Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Made in Germany","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50397280829771,"sku":"2026956","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/aa250bfe15062205edba1d1b6b96fb19_346b373f_thumbnail_4096.webp?v=1726489117"},{"product_id":"wild-eyed-southern-boys","title":"Wild Eyed Southern Boys","description":"\u003cp\u003eReleased on the 40th anniversary of 38 Special’s fourth studio album as part of Snakefarm Records’ “Reskinned” reissue series. This version marks the first repress of the album since it’s original 1981 release and has been specially remastered for vinyl. Comes with sleeve notes and original artwork and pressed on 140 gram hot pink vinyl.\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Snakefarm Records","offers":[{"title":"Pink | LP","offer_id":50451111969099,"sku":"1123980","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3cfea84d-be4f-4c4e-bd9e-08a018ed4ce4_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727118052"},{"product_id":"rockin-into-the-night-and-bonus-tracks","title":"Rockin’ Into The Night","description":"\u003cp\u003eA masterpiece! But also a major turning point in 38 Special's career. \u003cem\u003eRockin' Into The Night,\u003c\/em\u003e which followed \u003cem\u003eSpecial Delivery\u003c\/em\u003e, benefited from the first seeds sown by the latter, and the first plant to appear in all its splendour was the eponymous title of this new album, released in 1979. A revolver cartridge transformed into a tube of lipstick sets the tone, far removed from Southern bands. Just like the opening track, co-written by three members of Survivor, including Jim Peterik, which producer Ron Nevison thought was too Southern for his colts. Was it this track that influenced the Jacksonville gang's songwriting? 38 Special's music become smoother and more polished, and even if their Southern roots are still present (Turn It On, The Love That I've Lost, Take Me Through The Night...) the band is venturing into new territory (the Southern cover of ‘Money Honey’ or the very Irish instrumental Robin Hood).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e38 Special are now aiming for the American radio airwaves (Stone Cold Believer, Rockin' Into The Night, etc.) Buoyed by excellent guitars, full of emotion and\u003cbr\u003eexcitement, and by Donnie Van Zant's powerful vocals, \u003cem\u003eRockin' Into The Night \u003c\/em\u003efinally launches 38 Special's new career. The rest of the album is a classic mix of AOR and Southern Rock that will delight aficionados of both camps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBad Reputation have chosen to reissue this album because it is the ideal gateway for\u003cbr\u003enew initiates. And to back up their claims, they have added tracks recorded before and after this magnificent opus. And in particular two other compositions written by Jim Peterik. Let’s go South\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bad Reputation","offers":[{"title":"2CD plus Captured Live 1984 - Reunion Arena Dallas","offer_id":52901249450315,"sku":"R7528-6293","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD plus Five Bonus Tracks.","offer_id":52901249483083,"sku":"R7528-1973","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/38-Special-Rockin-Into-The-Night-CD.jpg?v=1752496378"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_4fbc61f0_thumbnail_4096_672198ec-c004-4209-8cd9-d05e9d09a541.jpg?v=1726264472","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/38-special.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}