Duncan Sheik, Spring Awakening Composer and "Barely Breathing" Singer, Dead at 56

Duncan Sheik, the singer-songwriter who scored a massive’90s hit with“Barely Breathing”and later reshaped modern Broadway with Spring Awakening, has died at 56. His mother confirmed to The New York Times that he died Thursday in a hospital after organ failure, one day after his family shared that he was in critical but stable condition.

Sheik’s career moved through two distinct eras of pop culture.“Barely Breathing”earned him a Grammy nomination and became one of those songs that seemed to live on the radio forever. Then he pivoted to theater, teaming with Steven Sater on Spring Awakening, the 2006 musical that won Tony and Grammy Awards and launched the careers of Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher Jr.

The tributes have been pouring in from across music and theater, remembering Sheik for his sensitivity, wit and depth of spirit. He is survived by his mother, his partner Nora Ariffin and their daughter. An off-Broadway revival of Spring Awakening is currently running, a reminder that his music will keep reaching new fans.

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