Chain Lightnin’

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as the Zoo Crew spins the electrifying "Chain Lightnin’" by .38 Special from their 1982 album Special Forces! This track, a high-energy Southern rock anthem, crackles with the raw power of a summer storm. One juicy tidbit from a fan on Reddit recalls how "Chain Lightnin’" was the perfect closer for side one of the vinyl, leaving listeners buzzing as they flipped the record. Its driving rhythm and searing guitar riffs, co-written by Don Barnes, Jim Peterik, and Donnie Van Zant, made it a standout on the Special Forces tour, where the band’s live energy reportedly blew the roof off venues like the Glens Falls Civic Center in 1982. Don Barnes himself has shared in interviews that the song’s intensity mirrors the band’s relentless drive to deliver “muscle and melody” onstage, a vibe that still resonates with fans at their 100+ shows a year.

Another cool story comes from a Songkick review, where a fan raved about hearing "Chain Lightnin’" live in 2025, calling it a house-rocking highlight that proved .38 Special’s staying power. The song’s gritty edge and lyrical spark, paired with the band’s dual-drummer setup (though only one was used per track on the album), gave it a unique place in their catalog. Fans on Rate Your Music have praised the album’s slick yet tough production, with "Chain Lightnin’" often cited as a bridge between their Southern roots and the arena-ready AOR sound that defined their ‘80s peak. It’s no wonder this track still lights up crowds, as seen in a 2023 Reddit post where listeners called it a timeless banger.

Now, let’s rewind to how .38 Special got rolling. Formed in 1974 in Jacksonville, Florida, by childhood pals Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant, the band was steeped in the Southern rock tradition, with Donnie’s brother Ronnie of Lynyrd Skynyrd fame as an early influence. They started as a scrappy outfit, grinding through local gigs and honing their craft in bars like the Forest Inn. Their name, inspired by the .38 Special revolver cartridge, reflected their bold, no-nonsense attitude. After years of one-nighters across the South, they caught a break when Ronnie hooked them up with Skynyrd’s manager, Peter Rudge, who got them opening slots for acts like Peter Frampton and Kiss. Signing with A&M Records in 1977, their debut album, produced by Dan Hartman, laid the groundwork for their Southern boogie sound, though it was their third album, Rockin’ Into the Night (1979), that cracked the Top 40 with the title track.

By the early ‘80s, .38 Special pivoted to a more polished arena rock style, keeping their Dixie roots intact. Hits like “Hold On Loosely” (1981) and “Caught Up in You” (1982) from Special Forces catapulted them to stardom, with the latter hitting #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite lineup changes—Don Barnes left briefly in 1987, and Donnie Van Zant stepped back from touring in 2013 due to health issues—the band’s core spirit endures. Today, with Barnes as the sole original member, alongside stalwarts like drummer Gary Moffatt and guitarist Jerry Riggs, they still deliver electrifying shows. Their 20 million album sales and Gold and Platinum awards speak to their legacy as a powerhouse of “muscle and melody.”

Stay connected with .38 Special through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for tour updates and behind-the-scenes goodies. Zoo Freaks can also dive into fan communities like the .38 Special Fan Club on Facebook or check out fan-driven sites like RockyOut Fandom and GreenSoupMusic Wiki for deep dives into the band’s history. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let “Chain Lightnin’” spark your soul!