Carman Dominic Licciardello, simply known by his first name, has passed away at the age of 65.

Carman had been hospitalized in Las Vegas for complications following surgery to repair a hiatal hernia.

He was born January 19, 1956, in Trenton, New Jersey, and first began performing as a drummer in his mother’s band as a teenager. Carman came to fame in the mid-1980s during the heyday of  contemporary Christian music with the release of his hit song, “The Champion.” His 1993 record, Addicted to Jesus, was named Christian album of the year. His other hits included songs like “Satan, Bite the Dust” and “Revival in the Land.”

Carman was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

He received many honors including the House of Hope of Humanitarian Award, Billboard’s “Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year” in 1992 and 1995, and he holds the world record for having the largest audience to see a single Christian artist.

He was planning to start on a 60-city tour later this year