By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa
Live Review: .38 Special at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino-Tampa – February 9, 2022
Postponed from early January, Tampa was ready to hear the Southern Rock legends .38 Special perform at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa on February 9th. The band is traveling across America until July when they end the tour at the Roostertail Music Festival in Madison, Indiana.
Starting promptly at the event center at 8 o’clock, .38 Special hit the stage with full force, breaking into the popular hit “Rockin’ Into the Night”. Don Barnes and Jerry Riggs traded glances and played back-to-back on the stage as Paul Drennan plucked the bass under a beam of light at the rear of the stage. Bobby Capps nimbly plucked the piano and Garry Moffatt kept time while perched behind a massive drum kit.
With puffs of smoke filling the stage and lights darting on the band members, the crowd of 50- and 60-something concertgoers were treated to a collection of impression hits such as “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys”, and “Somebody Like You”. One could not help but chair dance or head bob to these songs which dominated the airways in the 80s. Even hearing them today, they feel both fresh and familiar.
Although most of the crowd sat comfortably in their seats, a few stood up to dance in the aisles. After each song ended, there was a roar of clapping, fist raising, and whistling of approval.
Overall, it was a great evening of memories, as the band closed with “Hold On Loosely”.
PHOTO GALLERY
SOCIAL MEDIA
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
- Chatting with John Nickoloff of the rock band NICKOLOFF - April 24, 2024
- Ministry, Gary Numan & Front Line Assembly in St. Pete: A sublime industrial lineup - March 25, 2024
- Taylor Dayne and Tiffany in Clearwater: A full-blown ’80s dance party - March 24, 2024
