The Conservative Cave
Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: SVPete on June 26, 2025, 05:12:28 PM
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Chuck Girard, Founding Member of Love Song, Shares Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis
https://www.jubileecast.com/articles/33100/20250626/chuck-girard-founding-member-of-love-song-shares-stage-4-cancer-diagnosis.htm (https://www.jubileecast.com/articles/33100/20250626/chuck-girard-founding-member-of-love-song-shares-stage-4-cancer-diagnosis.htm)
Chuck Girard, beloved pioneer of contemporary Christian music and founding member of the legendary band Love Song, has publicly shared a heartbreaking update regarding his health. Girard, 81, announced he has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, which has metastasized to his lungs.
The diagnosis was confirmed in the fall of 2024, and he began chemotherapy treatments in November. However, after several months, doctors determined the chemotherapy was not effective and discontinued the regimen. Girard is now pursuing alternative treatments and leaning fully on his faith during this challenging season.
The group "Love Song" was associated in the early 1970s (late 1960s?) with Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, which was pastored by the late Chuck Smith. Here is their 1972 35+ minute eponymous album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66DlLkh6o4Q&list=RD66DlLkh6o4Q&start_radio=1&t=53s
The news is sad to me, as 1970s "Jesus Music" was meaningful to me at that time and is still. Larry Norman died some 20 years ago ... Andrae Crouch died about 10 years ago ... Barry McGuire will, Lord willing, turn 90 this year ... Annie Herring will turn 80 this year ... Phil Keaggy is 74 ... Nancy Henigbaum ("Honeytree") is 73 ... Randy Matthews is 75 ... Glenn Kaiser is 72 ... B. J. Thomas died ~4 years ago ... Reba Rambo will be 74 ... Michael Omartian will be 80 ... Karen Lafferty is 77 ...
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A 1975 live album with Barry McGuire and 2nd Chapter of Acts (Annie (Ward) Herring, Nelly Ward, and Matthew Ward):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNYhFyu4qTk&list=RDkNYhFyu4qTk&start_radio=1
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LoveSong Pioneer Passes: Chuck Girard 1943 - 2025
https://calvarychapelmagazine.org/articles/chuck-gfirard-memorial (https://calvarychapelmagazine.org/articles/chuck-gfirard-memorial)
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.
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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.”
One of the classic songs mentioned in the article, "Little Country Church", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bAlE3Y2MAk&list=RD4bAlE3Y2MAk&start_radio=1 .