From Malay Mail · Malay Mail · · 1m 10s
Duncan Sheik Dies at 56 After Organ Failure
Grammy and Tony winner Duncan Sheik, known for 'Barely Breathing' and 'Spring Awakening', dies at 56 from organ failure.
In brief
Grammy and Tony winner Duncan Sheik, known for 'Barely Breathing' and 'Spring Awakening', dies at 56 from organ failure. Duncan Sheik, the Grammy and Tony-winning composer behind 'Barely Breathing' and Broadway's 'Spring Awakening', died at 56 from organ failure. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
Duncan Sheik dies
Duncan Sheik, the Grammy- and Tony-winning singer-songwriter behind 'Barely Breathing' and 'Spring Awakening', has died at 56.
Organ failure cause
Sheik died Thursday from organ failure, his mother Suzanne Sheik told The New York Times.
Barely Breathing hit
For casual listeners, Sheik remained synonymous with 'Barely Breathing', the 1996 hit that spent 55 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
Spring Awakening impact
With lyricist Steven Sater, Sheik created the rock-infused musical 'Spring Awakening', which won eight Tonys and a Grammy.
Broadway outsider
Sheik considered himself a Broadway outsider but helped redefine musical theatre's sound with 'Spring Awakening'.
Musical legacy
His work bridged pop music and theatre, influencing Broadway's sound with projects like 'Spring Awakening' and 'American Psycho'.
What happens next
Spring Awakening remains one of the defining musicals of its generation, returning to Broadway in 2015.
The takeaway
Duncan Sheik, the Grammy and Tony-winning composer behind 'Barely Breathing' and Broadway's 'Spring Awakening', died at 56 from organ failure.
