Numerous sources have reported that Memphian and Christian-rock pioneer Dana Key died on Sunday at the age of 56 due to complications from a ruptured blood clot.
In 1978, Key, along with lifelong friend Eddie DeGarmo, founded the groundbreaking Christian rock band DeGarmo & Key, which was the first Christian act ever to receive airplay on MTV. (The 1984 video for “Six, Six, Six” was briefly banned from the network under the mistaken assumption that it was pro-Satan.) The pair released 21 albums and received seven Grammy Award and 17 Dove Award nominations over the span of a nearly 20-year career.