Christian Music Pioneer Chuck Girard of ‘Love Song’ Dies at 81
Chuck Girard, founding member of the Christian band Love Song and a pioneer in the Christian music industry, passed away on Monday at the age of 81 after battling stage IV cancer. In a statement announcing his death, Chuck’s wife, Karen Girard, wrote that “It is with great sorrow, yet also great joy, to let you know that Chuck has moved to Heaven and will be eternally with Jesus! He left this earth at rest and in total peace, surrounded by family.”
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,” she continued, quoting the Bible verse, 2 Corinthians 5:8. “We’re grateful for Jesus who paid the price for all who receive Him. Thank you to all of you who have prayed for Chuck and held us in prayer.”
Girard, who was born in Los Angeles on August 27, 1943, achieved early music success as a teen in the vocal group the Castells, scoring two Top 20 hits with “Sacred” and “So This Is Love.” He also sang alongside major artists like Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison, and recorded “I Do” with production by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
Girard later converted to Christianity in 1970 and transitioned from making secular music to Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) after co-founding the band Love Song.
“In his early twenties, disillusioned with fame and searching for meaning, Girard immersed himself in the late-1960s counterculture—experimenting with LSD, eastern religions, and the ‘hippie’ lifestyle,” said Love Song, according to a summary of Girard’s life on their website. “His spiritual search ended in 1970 when he encountered the Christian faith at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa.”
“At the time, he was co-founder and lead singer of Love Song, a band whose transformation from club-playing hippies to Jesus-focused musicians helped ignite the Jesus Movement and establish what became known as Contemporary Christian Music,” the summary continued.
Love Song released its debut album in 1972 and was later inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Girard recently released his final digital album, Moonrise Serenade, and was also working on the documentary A Band Called LoveSong: The Music & Movement of the Jesus Revolution, which will be released in September on the streaming platforms Prime Video and SalemNOW, Protestia reported.
Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, who came to Christianity during the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and 1970s and was featured in the 2023 movie, “Jesus Revolution” paid tribute to Girard on social media, Church Leaders reported.
“Chuck Girard was a true pioneer of what we now call Contemporary Christian Music—though in his day, it was simply known as ‘Jesus Music,’” said Laurie. “With soaring vocals and brilliant songwriting, Chuck’s music touched millions.”
“I had the privilege of knowing him personally and working alongside him—both as a solo artist and with his groundbreaking band, Love Song—many times,” the pastor said. “He deeply loved the Lord and was used mightily by God to bring countless people into His kingdom. Chuck is now in Heaven, but the songs and the legacy he leaves behind will continue to inspire hearts for generations to come.”
Girard’s daughter, Alisa Childers, an apologist, podcaster, and former member of the band ZOE, also paid tribute by posting her mother’s announcement of her dad’s passing as well as several pictures, including one with her and her dad.
Speaking to CCM Magazine, other Christian contemporary music artists paid tribute to Girard, including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Jesus Revolution filmmaker Andy Erwin.
Girard is survived by his wife, Karen; four daughters, Kristin, Alisa, Cherie, and Nikki; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Girard also had another grandson, Matt, who passed away in 2019.
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Chuck Girard
Originally published August 14, 2025.
