Singer-songwriter and Broadway composer Duncan Sheik dies at 56

Singer-songwriter and Broadway composer Duncan Sheik has died, according to a post on his Instagram account.He was 56.

His mother, Suzanne Sheik, told the New York Times that he died of organ failure and that he died Thursday night.She did not provide any other details about his condition or what led to the organ failure.

“The world has a lost a singular talent, and deeply influential voice in music and theater.From his Grammy-nominated hit ‘Barely Breathing’ to his groundbreaking, Tony and Grammy Award-winning work on Spring Awakening, Duncan’s artistry touched many and leaves an indelible mark on the cultural landscape,” the Instagram statement said.

“Duncan was a father, husband, son, brother, and friend.He will be remembered for his sensitivity, wit, inteligence [sic], and depth of spirit he brought to those who knew and loved him,” it continued.The statement said “We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love from his fans, friends, collaborators, and the artistic community.

His musical legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”“Duncan passed away last night surrounded by love,” the statement added.Sheik had recently been receiving medical care, with his family saying in a statement on Wednesday that he was in “critical but stable condition.” At the time, it was not immediately clear what he was being treated for or where.Sheik shared a daughter with his longtime girlfriend, Nora Ariffin, and was a practicing Buddhist.

Sheik exploded onto the pop music scene in 1996 with the hit single “Barely Breathing.” The song earned him a Grammy nomination for best male pop vocal performance.He went on to release nine studio albums over his career, but “Barely Breathing” remains at the top of Sheik’s Spotify page.

His most recent album was released in 2022.In 2020, he told HuffPost that he used to resent performing “Barely Breathing” because “it lived on the radio far longer than it should have,” he said.

�...