Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Barely a season’s passed since the 1970s when 38 Special wasn’t on the road, but the “50 Year Legacy” Tour that filled up the majority of the gorgeous Genesee Theatre was a “Milestone” for multiple reasons.

For starters, it gave the southern rockers a chance to properly celebrate its golden anniversary, though rather than focusing on strictly nostalgia, it was also accompanied by a brand new album bearing the latter name.

The entirely original material ends a more than two-decade absence from the studio, and despite the make-up of the band being quite different compared to yesteryear, it sure does sound exactly like 38 Special should.

As was the case last time the guys visited Waukegan, the latest line-up consists of original singer/guitarist Don Barnes, longtime keyboardist/vocalist Bobby Capps, drummer Gary Moffatt, bassist Barry Dunaway and guitarist Jerry Riggs with the most notable absence being co-founder/singer Donnie Van Zant, who was forced off the road due to inner-ear nerve damage

Nonetheless, 38 Special recalled many of its classic tunes through today in 90 minutes of non-stop horsepower, entering every so appropriately to the mantra of “Rockin’ Into The Night.”

These “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys” frequently took fans “Back To Paradise” and kept “Rough-Housin’” their way to the current, crunching likes of “All I Haven’t Said,” each featuring the always dependable Barnes.

Capps boldly took lead on the harmony-fueled ballad “Second Chance,” then everyone resumed rocking while making sure it was “Like No Other Night” until “Caught Up In You” closed the show’s main portion.

The razor-sharp musicianship came into greater focus by “Chain Lightnin’,” as did their knack for crafting colossal choruses during “Hold On Loosely,” when a thousand or so voices joined in and signaled 38 Special will likely endure well beyond this landmark moment.

For additional information on 38 Special, visit 38Special.com.

Upcoming shows at the Genesee Theatre include John Cleese (Oct. 9); The Rocket Man Show (Oct. 10); “MasterChef” All-Stars Live! (Oct. 11); Matt Fraser (Oct. 12); World Ballet Company: “The Great Gatsby” (Oct. 16); Freddy Jones Band (Oct. 17); Phil Vassar (Oct. 18); iLuminate (Oct. 19); Celebrating Meat Loaf (Oct. 25); Jerry Harrison (Oct. 30); Tower Of Power and War (Nov. 1); Tusk: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute (Nov. 6); Ben Folds (Nov. 8); Anthony Rodia (Nov. 13); “Swan Lake” (Nov. 14); The Voice Of Whitney (Nov. 15); Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (Nov. 20); Needtobreathe (Nov. 21); Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (Nov. 22); The Rush Tribute Project (Nov. 23); Peabo Bryson, Ruben Studdard, Sheena Easton and Ilya Serov (Dec. 5); David Foster & Katharine McPhee (Dec. 6); Rain: A Beatles Christmas Tribute (Dec. 7); Dave Koz & Friends (Dec. 10); Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Dec. 11); Matteo Bocelli (Dec. 12); Lady A (Dec. 13); “The Magic Of The Nutcracker” (Dec. 18-19); Lindsey Stirling (Dec. 20); BoDeans (Dec. 26) and Michael Carbonaro (Dec. 27). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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