There's more very sad news on the coronavirus front. Adam Schlesinger, best known for his work with the band Fountains of Wayne, died at age 52 due to complications related to contracted Covid-19. He had contracted the disease and died Wednesday morning.
Most people will know Schlesinger and Fountains of Wayne for the power-pop classic 'Stacey's Mom'. But that song is only really the tip of the iceberg for Schlesinger's work.
He grew up in New Jersey and started Fountains of Wayne in 1995. He wrote the title track to 'That Thing You Do!', the massively underrated Tom Hanks film about an American rock group in the 1960s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPMLG8mnCRM
There would be no Playtone without Adam Schlesinger, without his That Thing You Do! He was a One-der. Lost him to Covid-19. Terribly sad today. Hanx
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) April 2, 2020
He wrote the theme to Crank Yankers and music in My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: basically he composed tonnes of music in pop culture that you're familiar, but you'd never put a name to.
I remember the day all the Oneders, @LivTyler and @tomhanks sat in a room and played about 6 submitted tracks from different bands for That Thing You Do. When we heard Adam Schlesinger’s cassette it was instantly clear which track we would need to learn.
— Ethan Embry (@EmbryEthan) April 2, 2020
I am very sorry to hear the terrible news about Adam Schlesinger. I had the pleasure of working with Adam when he wrote the theme to Crank Yankers. He was a kind and super-talented man who will be missed. Sending love to his family, friends and fans.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) April 1, 2020
RIP Adam Schlesinger. Brilliant musical mind. Good guy. Sad day.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) April 2, 2020
We will miss you... Adam Schlesinger died of Covid 19 at age 52 today. He was writing the Music for The Nanny Musical. Devasted😥😭😩 My prayers are for you. May peace be with you... https://t.co/bQ4aMznKk4
— Fran Drescher (@frandrescher) April 1, 2020
For those of you who know my life as a songwriter- Adam Schlesinger’s career was always a big source of inspiration for me. He had a lyrical cheekiness that was only matched by his expert understanding of form, and was always able to fuse the two in a really fun, accessible way..
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) April 1, 2020
I can’t stop thinking of Adam Schlesinger , so heres the best song from crazy ex girlfriend that he won an Emmy for pic.twitter.com/0lMDnZP7mi
— Msbolandbotwin (@msboland_botwin) April 1, 2020
Our condolences to his friends and family
