Duncan Sheik, Known for "Barely Breathing" and "Spring Awakening," Dies at 56

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Duncan Sheik Dies at 56

The musician was best known for his 1996 single “Barely Breathing” and his Tony-winning work on Broadway’s Spring Awakening By Alex Suskind September 18, 2026 Save this story Save this story

Duncan Sheik, the Tony-winning composer of Broadway’s Spring Awakening and singer behind the 1996 hit “Barely Breathing,” has died in Manhattan, reports the New York Times . He was 56. According to Sheik’s mother, the cause of death was organ failure. Earlier this week, the musician was reported to be in “critical but stable” condition following an unspecified health issue.

Sheik’s first single, the alt-rock-leaning “Barely Breathing,” became a major hit for the young singer-songwriter, peaking at No. 16 on the Hot 100, remaining on the chart for 55 weeks, and later receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. After releasing two more albums, Sheik composed the musical Spring Awakening, eventually netting him Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations at the Tonys, along with a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

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Alex Suskind has overseen music coverage for New York magazine’s Vulture and, before that, Entertainment Weekly . He has written about TV, film, technology, politics, and tons of other stuff for The Guardian , Vanity Fair, and The Fader. ... Read More News Director

_Originally reported by [Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/story/duncan-sheik-dies-at-56/)._