Chuck Girard, a key voice in the Christian music revolution of the 1970s, has died at age 81 following a battle with cancer.

According to The Christian Post, Girard passed away on August 11, 2025, leaving behind a legacy that helped define contemporary worship music, with memorials planned in Tennessee and California to celebrate his life.

According to his family, Girard died peacefully at his home in the presence of loved ones at 11:15 a.m. He had first been diagnosed with stage four cancer in the fall of 2024, a journey that included chemotherapy before beginning hospice care.

His wife, Karen, shared the news of his passing that same day on Facebook, expressing both sorrow and gratitude. She stated that he had entered into eternity “at rest and in total peace,” expressing thankfulness for his music and message.

Girard rose to prominence during the Jesus Movement of the 1970s as a co-founder of the Christian rock band LoveSong. Known best for songs such as “Sometimes Alleluia” and “Rock ’n’ Roll Preacher,” he became a formative influence on modern worship styles across churches.

From California Roots to Global Impact

Born in Los Angeles and raised in California, Girard faced tragedy early in life when he lost his father to a drug overdose at age 5. Raised by his grandfather, he left home by 16 and began working as a session singer in Los Angeles.

During those early years, he collaborated with figures such as Gary Usher and members of The Beach Boys. He also interacted musically with Keith Green before Green’s conversion to Christianity, establishing himself in the industry well before finding faith.

His spiritual journey saw him experimenting with Eastern beliefs and the psychedelic culture of the time. Girard eventually moved to Hawaii in search of deeper meaning, abandoning the commercial world and attempting to live closer to nature.

Transformation Through Calvary Chapel

Feeling his life still lacked purpose, Girard returned to California and attended services at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, led by Pastor Chuck Smith. It was there that the course of his life changed dramatically after hearing the message of the Gospel.

Speaking in archival recollections, Girard described a personal and spiritual emptiness during that era. He recounted realizing he wasn’t making a difference “sitting on a rock” in Hawaii, and came to faith when he heard about the grace and love found in Christ.

Following his conversion, Girard dedicated his musical gifts to Christian ministry. Alongside fellow LoveSong members, who had experienced similar spiritual awakenings, he committed fully to writing and performing faith-inspired music.

A Legacy of Faithful Creativity

Girard and LoveSong became early adopters of using rock music as a vehicle for spiritual expression, paving the way for contemporary Christian music. Their efforts were even featured in the widely viewed film “Jesus Revolution.”

In the days leading up to his death, Girard’s daughter Cherie shared on Facebook that her father was in the final stage of his illness and unable to speak. She conveyed that he considered serving the Lord through music to be the greatest honor of his life.

Alisa Childers, another of Girard’s daughters and a well-known Christian apologist, released a 45-minute tribute video titled “A Tribute to My Dad, Chuck Girard 1943–2025” on YouTube. In it, she reflected on how his steady faith shaped her own spiritual growth.

Gathering in Tennessee to Celebrate His Life

A public memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, at 2 p.m. at The Gate Church in Franklin, Tennessee. Friends, fellow musicians, and family are expected to attend and honor his decades-long impact on Christian culture.

A second event is being planned for Southern California in September, though a specific date has yet to be announced. This West Coast service aims to recognize Girard’s deep ties to the region where his music ministry began.

In her message to supporters, Karen thanked the public for their outpouring of love and prayers. “All of your memories and stories have meant so much to us,” she wrote, expressing gratitude on behalf of the family.

Remembering the Man Behind the Music

Girard often framed his journey in terms of grace, recounting how substance abuse once defined his past before he found peace through faith. His straightforward testimony and musical passion spoke to a generation of seekers at a spiritual crossroads.

In one reflective statement from his earlier ministry, he described people as inherently flawed and declared that God’s abundance of grace is the only true remedy for the world’s problems. His bold transformation made his music resonate more deeply with listeners.

As tributes continue to pour in ahead of his memorial, those close to Girard say his greatest legacy isn’t only about songs, but the spiritual transformation his life inspired in others. His story, they note, is one of redemption, purpose, and enduring faith.