The self-titled Van Zant record is like hidden treasure for 80s melodic rock fans. Released in 1985, the album saw little airplay and generated no chart hits on the Top 100. The project grew out of Johnny Van Zant's southern rock band, but this record is pure AOR. Johnny would team up with his brother Donnie to record again under this moniker, but focused on country music instead. If the voice sounds familiar to you, that's because Johnny Van Zant also sings for 38 Special. Johnny and Donnie are the younger brothers of Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd). "Midnight Sensation" is the track that kicks things off, and it is a nostalgic ride back to the 80s.
Jim Peterik is a god in AOR circles, but most people don't know his name. He's been a driving force in hitmakers The Ides of March and Survivor, and written hit songs for other artists including .38 Special, Henry Paul Band, and Cheap Trick, yet he's never scored a chart appearance as a solo artist. Partly because he has released very few solo records. Even then, he usually has big name collaborators, as in the case of his World Stage records. The first record he released with this rotating all-star band was back in 2000, and Peterik is slated to release another long-awaited World Stage record this year (2019). Peterik's collaboration runs strong with Cheap Trick, who lent a hand to write and perform this truly great rocker called "Zig Zag" from the first World Stage record. Punching it up even more are backing vocals from Tom Keifer of Cinderella.
Formed as a Southern rock back in the 1970s, 38 Special is
best known for their early 80s guitar-driven hits “Hold On Loosely” and “Caught
Up In You”. By the mid-80s, the band had incorporated more keyboards into their
sound, culminating with their biggest hit, “Second Chance”, which went all the
way to #6 on the Billboard Top 100.
“Second Chance” marked a huge comeback for the band, but the
1988 record from which it came, “Rock & Roll Strategy”, topped out at #61
on the album chart – making it their worst performing album since their 1977
debut.Interestingly, the lead off
single (the title track) and the follow up single, “Comin’ Down Tonight”, both
stalled at the same position (#67) on the charts.
Going back to this fine record, it is hard to figure out
why it didn't perform better. Maybe they just didn’t release the right singles. There are some excellent
deep tracks on “Rock & Roll Strategy” for fans of 80s melodic rock. One of
my favorites is “Midnight Magic”, a sappy but sweet mid-tempo love song with an
irresistible chorus.
The 1991 follow-up record was “Bone Against Steel”, which
featured a top 40 hit in “The Sound Of Your Voice”, yet this album fared even
worse, stalling at #170.
Some fun trivia: What
long-time collaborator helped write several of 38 Special’s biggest hits,
including “Caught Up In You”, “Hold On Loosely”, “Rockin’ Into The Night”, and
“The Sound Of Your Voice”? Hint: He was co-founder of another very successful
melodic rock act in the 80s whose two biggest hits were written for movies.
Some more 38 Special trivia: Can you guess the two backing vocalists on the
chorus of “Tear It Up” from “Bone Against Steel”? Hint: These two might be good
“company” at “night”.
