In the end, he didn't leave for too long. Don Barnes set out on a solo career in '87, recorded a record in '89, and was back in 38 Special by '92. A series of unfortunate events held that solo record, Ride the Storm, in limbo for decades until it saw a proper release in 2017. 38 Special remained a powerhouse of southern rock all those years, before returning to the studio for 2025's Milestone.