Christian rock trailblazer Chuck Girard, formerly of the Hondells who achieved top 10 status in the 1970s with Love Song, passes away at the age of 81.
Chuck Girard, a pioneer in the Christian rock genre, passed away at the age of 81 on Monday. Known for his work with Love Song and the Hondells, Girard played a significant role in bringing faith-based lyrics to the forefront of rock music.
Before his Christian music career, Girard made records under various names, including with the Hondells, for about four years. One of the Hondells' most popular tracks, "Little Honda," quickly took off, becoming a hit in the late 1960s.
In the early 1970s, Girard was playing gigs with Tommy Coomes, Jay Truax, and Fred Field. Their paths crossed with an invitation to Calvary Chapel, which led to all four musicians becoming Christian converts. This marked the beginning of Love Song, one of the earliest Christian rock bands, closely tied to the Jesus Movement.
Love Song was formed in 1970 and is widely regarded as one of the very first Christian rock bands, bringing rock music with faith-based lyrics into the mainstream Christian music scene. Their 1972 self-titled debut album is considered one of the 25 greatest Christian contemporary music albums of all time, noted for its artistic integrity and evangelical impact despite modest production standards.
After Love Song disbanded, Girard launched a solo career starting in 1974, releasing albums up through 2024's "Moonrise Serenade." His most popular song, "Sometimes Alleluia," became a staple of nondenominational church services.
Girard's work helped normalize rock music within Christian worship contexts at a time when this was controversial, thereby expanding the musical and cultural reach of Christian music. His impact on the genre was felt deeply, with Christian music stars of the past and present reacting to his death with expressions of sorrow and gratitude.
Notable Christian music artist Amy Grant expressed her gratitude for Girard's life and impact on the world. "Chuck Girard was a trailblazer and a pioneer in the Christian music industry," she said. "His music will continue to touch lives for generations to come."
In a testament to his enduring influence, Love Song was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2012, with later-joining members Bob Wall and Phil Keaggy included in the ceremony.
A three-part documentary about Love Song, "A Band Called Love Song: The Music & Movement of the Jesus Revolution," is set to come out on Prime Video on Sept. 19, providing a deeper look into the life and career of Chuck Girard and his groundbreaking contributions to Christian rock music.
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