Duncan Sheik, the singer behind the iconic 1996 hit “Barely Breathing,” has died at 56, just days after his family revealed that he was in critical but stable condition and receiving medical treatment.
Sheik died Thursday night at a Manhattan hospital, where he was surrounded by loved ones, according to his family. His mother, Suzanne Sheik, told The New York Times that the cause was cardiac arrest. He suffered heart failure that led to the cardiac arrest.
The news came only a day after his family had asked fans to respect their privacy while he was receiving medical care. His death was confirmed in a statement shared on his social media, which described him as a father, husband, son, brother and friend and praised his sensitivity, wit and intelligence.
Sheik first rose to fame in the 1990s with “Barely Breathing,” a Grammy-nominated song that stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 55 weeks. The success made him a familiar name to a generation of music fans.
His career later moved well beyond pop music. Sheik became the composer of the Broadway musical Spring Awakening, working with lyricist Steven Sater. The production became a major success and earned Sheik two Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, along with a Grammy for the cast album.
At the time of his death, Sheik still had major creative projects ahead. His latest musical, Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen, was preparing for an Off-Broadway debut, while a revival of Spring Awakening was also in the works.
Sheik is survived by his wife, Nora Ariffin, and their daughter, Inez, as well as his parents and siblings. His death brings to an end a career that moved from a defining ’90s pop hit to award-winning Broadway work.