Duncan Sheik, ‘Barely Breathing’ Singer, Dies at 56

Award-winning singer-songwriter and composer Duncan Sheik, best known for his 1996 hit “Barely Breathing” and Broadway musical “Spring Awakening,” died at the age of 56 on Sept. 17, according to a statement on his official Instagram page.

“The world has … lost a singular talent, and deeply influential voice in music and theater,” the social media post read. “He will be remembered for his sensitivity, wit, [intelligence], and depth of spirit he brought to those who knew and loved him.”

“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love from his fans, friends, collaborators, and the artistic community. His musical legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”

An official cause of death was not publicly disclosed.

Sheik was hospitalized for an undisclosed health issue; his family shared in a statement on Instagram on his behalf on Sept. 16. He was listed as being in “critical but stable” condition, but the exact nature of his condition, when he was admitted to the hospital, or where he was receiving treatment remained unknown.

Born in 1969 in Montclair, New Jersey, Sheik developed an interest in music at an early age and later studied at Brown University. He moved to Los Angeles after graduating and began building a career as a singer and songwriter.

Sheik rose to prominence in the 1990s with his debut single “Barely Breathing,” which became a major hit following the release of his self-titled debut album in 1996.

The song reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it spent 55 weeks, and earned Sheik a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1998.

Sheik expanded his career into musical theater in 2002, when he composed music for the New York Shakespeare Festival production of “Twelfth Night.”

He went on to work with lyricist Steven Sater in 2006, composing music for “Spring Awakening,” the rock musical based on Frank Wedekind’s 1891 play.

Following its Broadway debut in 2006, the production became a major theater success, earning Sheik and Sater the Tony Award for Best Original Score the following year.

Sheik also received a Tony for orchestrations, and the show’s cast recording subsequently won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2008.

He continued writing for stage productions, including music and lyrics for the 2016 Broadway production of “American Psycho.”

Sheik’s work has also included recordings outside the theater world, with his most recent studio album, “Claptrap,” released in 2022.

The composer is survived by his wife, Nora Ariffin, and their daughter, Ines, as well as his parents.

Some projects Sheik worked on prior to his death have been scheduled for upcoming productions.