Love Song Pioneer Passes: Chuck Girard 1943 - 2025

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A pioneer of contemporary Christian music since the Jesus movement of the 1970s, LoveSong cofounder Chuck Girard passed away in the presence of his family on Monday afternoon.

Born in Los Angeles, Chuck brushed with Billboard Chart fame as a teenager with The Hondells but became a high school alcoholic. He and his fellow musicians became disillusioned with life during the hippie movement of the 1960s, until they found Jesus at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, CA.

Band mates Tommy Coomes and Fred Field were the first to accept Jesus, but Chuck was wary. When he reluctantly came to Calvary Chapel for the first time and heard the young people passionately singing simple folk songs, his heart was moved.

“God began to just hit me,” Chuck declared, gesturing to his heart. “I just broke. I had tears, snot, goo all over my face, my beard.” He surrendered his life to God.

Calling their band LoveSong, Chuck, Tommy, Fred, and Jay Truax dedicated their talent to God and started writing songs about Jesus—later joined by John Mehler and Bob Wall. Encouraged by Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith, LoveSong played at Calvary weekly, and crowds were singing their songs like “A Love Song,” “Little Country Church,” “Welcome Back,” and “Let Us Be One.”

Chuck Girard shared with thousands of other young people on a television program in 1971: “I had followed all these men—the Beatles, Timothy Leary, Eastern mysticism … and I never really heard how simple it was to accept Jesus. … Jesus died on the cross to save you because no man could make it. We’re all too rotten inside. But His grace and His love are so abundant. That’s the answer for the world’s problems, and there is no other.”

That year, he wrote “Since I Opened Up the Door,” a song featured in the recent movie Jesus Revolution. The autobiographical lyrics include: “Since I opened up, opened up the door, I can’t think about anything else but [Jesus] anymore.”

“I learned dignity in his situation, and peace- Chuck was well prepared with no doubt, anxiety or fear. He loved Jesus.”

— Pastor Mike MacIntosh

“Love Song became the house band at Calvary Chapel, first in the little chapel and then in the big tent,” recounted David Burgin, a fellow musician and friend of Chuck’s for 53 years. After learning of his passing, David shared, “Chuck walked close to the Lord, and through his music he brought us all into the throne room of the Lord. He truly expressed his love for Jesus through his music.” David’s band JOY was the first Christian band Chuck heard after he got saved. He fondly recalled, “Once when I was visiting Chuck, he shared a song that he had written the night before. He sat down at the piano and played ‘Little Pilgrim.’ I will never forget that; it is still one of my favorites.” He added, “He had the joy of the Lord and that was his strength throughout the years of his ministry to thousands.”

Less than two months ago, Chuck Girard shared with his friends on social media: “ I am deeply grateful for all of you. It’s been an honor to share my music and ministry with you for the past 50 years. Your kind messages and support over the years have been a tremendous encouragement and inspiration.”

Chuck recounted how he was diagnosed with stage four cancer, learning that it had metastasized to his lungs about a year ago. This past June, he related that they had stopped chemo treatments and were pursuing other options. “Ultimately, it is in the hands of God,” he said. “Karen and I, and the whole family, are walking in total peace with the comfort of the Holy Spirit, knowing that our lives are in His hands.”

Chuck’s wife Karen posted on social media shortly after his passing Monday: “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. We praise the Lord for His great mercy and for His gift of Chuck’s music, message, and heart.”

She cited 2 Corinthians 5:8b, To be absent from the body [is] to be present with the Lord. She added, “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.”

Chuck and his wife Karen have four daughters, four granddaughters, and two grandsons.

Chuck and his band mates have spent the last several years working on a documentary series about how God worked through music during the Jesus Movement; it will soon be launched on Amazon Prime and other outlets.

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