Initially, 38 Special was one of many Southern rock bands in the vein of the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd; in fact, the band was led by Donnie Van Zant, the brother of Skynyrd's leader, Ronnie Van Zant. After releasing a couple of albums of straight-ahead Southern boogie, the band revamped their sound to fall halfway between country-fried blues-rock and driving, arena-ready hard rock. The result was a string of hit albums and singles in the early '80s, highlighted by "Caught Up in You," "If I'd Been the One," "Back Where You Belong" and "Like No Other Night." Donnie Van Zant (vocals) formed the Jacksonville, Florida-based 38 Special in 1975 with Jeff Carlisi (guitar), Don Barnes (guitar, vocals), Ken Lyons (bass), Jack Grondin (drums) and Steve Brookins (drums). Two years later, the band signed with A&M Records and released their eponymous debut. Neither "38 Special" or its follow-up, "Special Delivery," received much attention, but the group began to build up a following through their constant touring. Bassist Lyons left before the recording of 1979's "Rockin' into the Night," the album that demonstrated a more melodic, driving sound; he was replaced by Larry Junstrom. "Rockin' into the Night" became a moderate hit, but 1981's "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys" was a genuine hit, going platinum and generating the Top 40 "Hold on Loosely." "Special Forces," released in 1982, was even more popular, spawning the Top 10 single "Caught Up In You" and "If I'd Been the One." "Tour De Force" (1983) and "Strength in Numbers" (1986) were also both successes. The band continues to be a popular touring act with a great live show.