Wild Eyed And Lovin’ Southern Rock
Continuing with some of my influential albums, .38 Special’s “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys” introduced me to a couple of things, southern rock, and interest in playing guitar. This was actually their fourth album. With the help of MTV, their music videos showed them as a high-energy concert experience. I also thought it was cool that this was the first time I saw two full drum sets in a rock band.
“Hold On Loosely” was the driving force behind me wanting to learn to play guitar. A very catchy and easy riff to play, I learned to play it on my own. The title track “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys” and “Fantasy Girl” are the more memorable tracks.
And just like that, the band had their next album out within a year another smash, “Caught Up In You.” But their best song will always have been from their third album, the track “Rockin’ Into The Night.” Odd fact, co-founder of the band Survivor, Jim Peterik had written the song for his band, but went to .38 Special instead. Peterik actually had co-written all the hits released on Wild-Eyed Southern Boys and an additional song.
If there is one thing that I miss from 21st century music, it is the genre of a good southern rock band getting airplay.
Paul's Heart 