Chuck Girard (August 27, 1943 – August 11, 2025) was a singer, songwriter, recording artist, worship leader, and founder of Love Song, the band that revolutionized contemporary Christian music.
Born in Los Angeles, Girard was raised in both Southern and Northern California, Chuck began playing music at an early age. In his teens, he formed the group the Castells, which had two national top 20 hits, “Sacred”, and “So This Is Love”. They also released a song called “I Do”, which was produced by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. It was during this time as a teenager that Chuck shared the stage with stars such as Roy Orbison, Jan and Dean, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bobby Vee, Jackie Wilson, Brenda Lee and others. This led to a successful career as a studio singer and musician which included singing the lead vocals on the Hondells first two albums and their biggest hit, “Little Honda".
In his early twenties Chuck became disillusioned with life, and like so many of his generation, began experimenting with drugs. This led to a five-year search for God through LSD, eastern religion, and a committed “hippie” lifestyle. His search ended at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa when he found true spiritual reality through accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior. This was the early 1970’s, during the beginnings of what became known as the “Jesus Movement”.
Girard, along with John Mehler, became a founding member of Love Song and along with the conversions of the band members came a radical change in the message. They used to play clubs, preaching “peace and love”, and LSD as the way to find God. Now they had a new message, and with this change helped blaze the path for the beginnings of what would become Contemporary Christian Music. Love Song’s 1972 debut album remains a landmark recording. For the next three years, Chuck played in the group until they disbanded in 1974.
Following Love Song’s initial breakup in the early 1970s, Girard embarked on a solo career, starting with a self-titled album in 1974 on which he was backed by members of Ambrosia. That solo debut included his most popular song, “Sometimes Alleluia,” which became a staple of nondenominational church services that were seeking out fresher songs for worship in place of hymns.
Over the decades, Girard recorded many albums, toured extensively across the United States, Europe, Australia, Africa, Indonesia, Mexico, Canada, and the Middle East, and ministered through music and teaching in churches worldwide. In 1981, at the height of his career, Girard shifted his focus to worship ministry, embracing a simpler, church-centered calling that remained his passion for the rest of his life. Chuck has appeared with Billy Graham, and on “700 Club”, “100 Huntley Street”, “Trinity Broadcasting Network”, and various television shows throughout the world.
In 2010 Chuck reunited with his band mates from Love Song and toured the United States. In 2012, Girard and the members of Love Song were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, a testament to their enduring impact and unmatched influence.
Although his profile was lower as succeeding generations of artists came along in what came to be known as CCM, Girard continued to enjoy respect as one of the pioneers of the genre, and with several long pauses in his recording career continued releasing albums up through 2024’s “Moonrise Serenade.” That year Girard was diagnosed with stage IV cancer that had metastasized to his lungs. He was taken off chemotherapy as it was ineffective and died on August 11, 2025, at the age of 81.
Most recently, Girard was working to finish A Band Called Love Song: The Music & Movement of the Jesus Revolution, a documentary series that will be streamed nationally on Prime Video in September 2025.
(Edited from Williamson Memorial, Variety & CCM Classic )
