(CP) – GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame member and Christian trailblazer Carman Dominic Licciardello, better known as Carman, died at a Las Vegas, Nevada, hospital on Tuesday.
A statement released on Feb. 16 revealed that the entertainer died “after fighting a series of complications resulting from surgery to repair a hiatal hernia.” He was 65. After being in remission from cancer over the past six years, Licciardello’s recent surgery led to internal bleeding.
Last month, one of his representatives asked his half a million social media followers to urgently pray for the entertainer. “We need you to stop right now and pray! Carman had a minor surgery last week. Recovery was not going well and his temperature continued to rise.
They discovered it was caused by internal bleeding and had to do another surgery last night to fix that,” read a message that was posted on Licciardello’s Facebook page on Jan. 25. “His kidneys and liver are not working fully. He needs a touch from the Lord right now!! Please pray for a complete healing for Carman.”
Born on Jan. 19, 1956, in Trenton, New Jersey, the evangelist started his musical career at the age of 15, playing in a band with his mother. Licciardello currently holds the world record of being the only Christian “stadium act” to lead tens of thousands of people in worship.
The record for the largest concert was set at Texas Stadium with more than 71,000 fans and again he gathered 80,000 fans in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Licciardello has said several times throughout his career that he counted “winning millions of souls to Christ” as his greatest lifetime achievement.
“When Carman resumed touring again a few years ago, he was concerned that no one would care that he was back. He was wrong. Every night fans packed out venues and his ministry were as powerful as it ever was. READ MORE
