Adam Schlesinger, frontman of US rock band Fountains of Wayne and an Oscar-nominated composer for TV and cinema, has died as a result of complications from Covid-19.
Variety magazine confirmed the news that the musician and father of two died on Wednesday morning.
His lawyer had previously said that Mr. Schlesinger was "very sick and heavily sedated" in an upstate New York hospital for the past week.
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The prolific and hugely talented musican enjoyed hits including power pop gem Stacy’s Mom with Fountains of Wayne, and had been nominated for Oscars, Tonys, Grammys and Emmys, winning awards in the latter two.
The Grammy-nominated and critically-acclaimed Fountains of Wayne released five albums between 1996 and 2011, perfecting a droll, harmony-drenched power pop in the vein of Badfinger and Big Star.
Mr. Schlesinger also had huge success composing and producing music for television and movies such as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
He was nominated for an Oscar in 1997 for penning the theme song for the Tom Hanks-directed film That Thing You Do! and won a Grammy for best comedy album for his work on A Stephen Colbert Christmas.
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
1/2 about Adam pic.twitter.com/x2LMIvZ9qf
— Aline Brosh McKenna (@alinebmckenna) April 1, 2020
More recently he collaborated with Sarah Silverman on his first full stage score in years for an off-Broadway musical, The Bedwetter, which had been scheduled to open this spring.
Tom Hanks, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend writer Aline Brosh McKenna, Stephen King, Elijah Wood, The Nanny star Fran Dresher and Neil Patrick Harris were among the many famous names paying tribute.
RIP Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne), fine singer, witty and satiric songwriter. How terrible to lose him at 52 to this virus.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 2, 2020
Ugh. Heartbreaking to hear about Adam Schlesinger having passed. Such a brilliant songwriter.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) April 1, 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
Oh my god. Just reading that Adam Schlesinger passed away from Coronavirus complications. A brilliant musician and writer, we shared many award show moments together. He was so kind. Gone too soon. I'm reeling. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. https://t.co/zvGgzSjiJ9
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) April 2, 2020
