Duncan Sheik, who composed the Tony award-winning show “Spring Awakening” and sang the 1996 Grammy-nominated pop music hit “Barely Breathing,” has died. He was 56.
His death was announced in a statement posted Friday
“It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of Duncan Sheik,” that notice states. “The world has a lost a singular talent, and deeply influential voice in music and theater.”
He was remembered not only as an artist, but also as a father, husband, son, brother, and friend.
“He will be remembered for his sensitivity, wit, intelligence, and depth of spirit he brought to those who knew and loved him,” that statement continues.
His family expressed their appreciation for the support that poured in from fans after they announced Thursday that he was being treated for an unspecified ailment.
Sheik’s family had said that the singer was “in critical but stable condition,” but receiving medical care that day.
He died Thursday night in Manhattan “surrounded by love.”
The New Jersey native succumbed to organ failure that led to cardiac arrest, the New York Times reported Friday.
His death comes weeks before the opening of “Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen” at Chelsea venue The Culture Club. Previews for the musical adaptation of Moyoco Anno’s manga graphic novel of the same name start Sept. 25. The show, for which Sheik wrote music, opens on Oct. 15.
An off-Broadway “Spring Awakening” revival is slated to open on W. 43rd Street Dec. 17. Sheik won a 2007 Grammy Award for that rocking musical.
Sheik is survived by his wife, model Nora Ariffin, and their 7-year-old daughter, Ines.
His musical career began when he was a Brown university sophomore playing guitar for Grammy award-winner Lisa Loeb’s band, though in 1997 he spoke of being in a cover band that did Van Halen and Loverboy songs when he was 12 years old.
Sheik said at the time that he was a practicing Buddhist, who enjoyed performing for people who share his faith. He would continue meditating and practicing Buddhism throughout his life and credits that spirituality shaping his work.
“I use the practice to focus on how can I create value in the world, in society, how can I create value for myself, for the people in my environment,” he told ABC News in 2016.
Sheik said in a 2022 PS Audio interview that he was raised Catholic, but practiced no religion at all for the five years before he turned 19.
“I’ve been a practicing Buddhist for thirty years now, but when the pandemic happened, and I had my first daughter, I went through my late midlife crisis. I had nothing to complain about, but I had a lot of questions I had about how I was feeling, even with everything good [that was] happening,” he confessed. “This gave me clarity and those things that were conflicts slipped away. I learned that happiness is about equanimity.”
Sheik recorded nine studio albums as well as a live record from Café Carlyle, where he performed a brief 2017 residency.