Carman, a Christian recording artist from New Jersey known for his theatrical performances, has died.
The singer died Tuesday at a hospital in Las Vegas as a result of complications from surgery to repair a hiatal hernia, according to an announcement on his website. He was 65.
Carman, born Carmelo Licciardello in Trenton, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018. The hall notes that the singer was often described as “part evangelist, part Vegas showman,” his narrative performances a fusion of “drama, rock, comedy, funk, satire, acting, singing and preaching.”
In a performance of his hit song “The Champion,” released in 1985, Carman acted out the voices of Satan and his demons in menacing growls reminiscent of the sniveling Gollum from “Lord of the Rings.” He also provided Jesus’ reply:
“Go ahead, make my day.”
The crowd roared.
He started out when he was 15, playing drums in his mother Nancy Licciardello’s band. He would go on to lead audiences of more than 80,000 in song and worship.
The singer would often tell the story that after performing in New Jersey casinos, he received an offer from a talent agent connected with the DeCavalcante crime family, Christianity Today reports. Instead, he left for Las Vegas. It was during a performance from gospel artist Andraé Crouch that Carman found Jesus.
Billboard named Licciardello contemporary Christian artist of the year in 1992 and 1995.
Carman was nominated for four Grammys in his career, starting in 1986 with the song “Our Blessed Savior Has Come,” with CeCe Winans, and continuing with three nominations for best pop gospel album in 1991 (”Shakin’ the House ... Live”), 1992 (”Addicted to Jesus”) and 1998 (”Mission 3:16″).
Licciardello previously attributed his recovery from terminal multiple myeloma cancer to the support of fans, who funded an album and tour via his Kickstarter campaign, Christianity Today reports.
The singer, who had been diagnosed with cancer in 2013, reported a recurrence in 2020.
Carman was planning to launch a 60-city tour this month.
“When Carman resumed touring again a few years ago, he was concerned that no one would care that he was back,” Matt Felts, Carman’s manager, said in a statement. “He was wrong. Every night fans packed out venues and his ministry was as powerful as it ever was. This world has lost a light in the darkness but today Carman saw firsthand the fruit of his labors.”
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter.