Duncan Sheik, 'Barely Breathing' Singer and Tony-Winning Composer, Hospitalized at 56

Duncan Sheik, the singer behind 1996’s inescapable hit“Barely Breathing,”has been hospitalized and is in critical but stable condition, according to a statement from his family posted to his Instagram on Wednesday. He is 56. The family did not share medical details and asked for privacy during what they described as an incredibly difficult time.

If you only know Sheik from 90s radio, you’re missing half the story.“Barely Breathing”earned him a Grammy nomination and became one of those songs that felt permanently glued to the airwaves, something he once acknowledged when he said it“kind of took on a life of its own.”But he didn’t stop there. In 2007, he won Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations for“Spring Awakening,”the musical that introduced audiences to Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff. He went on to write the music for Broadway’s“American Psycho”and released his most recent album,“Claptrap,”in 2022.

His health scare is landing with pop fans and theater fans at the same time, a reminder of just how far his music reaches. Right now, the best thing we can do is respect the family’s request for privacy and send support from a distance. We’re wishing him a full recovery.

What’s your favorite Duncan Sheik song or“Spring Awakening”moment? Tell us in the comments.