# Duncan Sheik, 'Barely Breathing' Singer, Dead at 56

> The Tony Award-winning composer of Spring Awakening and '90s chart star died Thursday from organ failure.
- Title: Duncan Sheik, 'Barely Breathing' Singer, Dead at 56 | Shortify
- Summary: The Tony Award-winning composer of Spring Awakening and '90s chart star died Thursday from organ failure. Duncan Sheik left an indelible mark on both pop…
- Keywords: duncan sheik, barely breathing, spring awakening, tony awards, rock musical, composer, singer-songwriter, death, 1996 hit single, steven sater, Duncan, Sheik
- Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/music/music-news/duncan-sheik-spring-awakening-barely-breathing-dead-obit-1235628375
- Author: Daniel Kreps
- Published: 2026-09-18T14:31:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: duncan sheik, barely breathing, spring awakening, tony awards, rock musical, composer, singer-songwriter, death, 1996 hit single, steven sater
## Duncan Sheik dies at 56
The singer-songwriter and Tony Award-winning composer of Spring Awakening died Thursday from organ failure, his mother confirmed to the New York Times.
## Barely Breathing made him famous
His 1996 debut single reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, stayed on the charts for 55 weeks, and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
## Met Steven Sater through Buddhism
While recording 2001's Phantom Moon, a Nick Drake tribute, Sheik connected with poet and songwriter Steven Sater through their shared practice of Nichiren Buddhism. The partnership would define his career.
## Spring Awakening won Best Musical
Their 2006 rock musical adaptation of an 1891 German play won Best Musical at the 2007 Tony Awards. Sheik won Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, followed by a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

> I think he is a genius. He is 'out there,' eccentric and unique, and that's why I love him.
## Theater work spanned two decades
After Spring Awakening, Sheik continued collaborating with Sater on projects like 2019's Alice by Heart, and composed music for American Psycho on Broadway, seeking depth over camp.

> I wanted it to be a little deeper and more ambiguous, weird and strange, and, hopefully, beautiful.
## Key takeaway

Duncan Sheik left an indelible mark on both pop music and theater, from his 1996 hit single to his groundbreaking rock musical that won Best Musical at the Tonys.