Power-Pop Maestro and Fountains of Wayne Co-Founder Adam Schlesinger Passes Away From Wuhan Coronavirus Complications

This Feb. 8, 2004 file photo shows pop group Fountains of Wayne arriving at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. A kitschy northern New Jersey landmark that spawned a popular rock band’s name and served as the backdrop for a “Sopranos” episode may be in danger of closing. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill,File)

Another entertainer passes away due to complications from the coronavirus.

As reported Wednesday, musician Adam Schlesinger has passed away at the age of 52.

On Tuesday, the family of the Fountains of Wayne co-founder announced his hospitalization due to COVID-19, via Chris Collingwood — Adam’s FOW band partner since 1995.

“[Adam is] on a ventilator and has been sedated to facilitate his recovery,” the statement read. “He is receiving excellent care, his condition is improving and we are cautiously optimistic. His family appreciates all of the love and support.”

pic.twitter.com/nrNZjChjk7

— Chris Collingwood (@lookpark) March 31, 2020

On Wednesday, the worst was confirmed.

If you’re wondering what work of Adam’s you might know, his band’s biggest hit was the 2003 smash “Stacy’s Mom,” which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal — see the (too-racy-for-RedState?) video here.

The song was inspired by The Cars.

That same year (2003), Fountains of Wayne was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy.

Adam had a knack for quirky, upbeat songs, and he lent his super-hooky touch to the ultra-fun film Josie and the Pussycats, penning tunes voiced by Letters to Cleo’s Kay Hanley:

Schlesinger served up some real gems in the film and television world. Perhaps most notably, he composed the theme song — and, really, story hingepin — for Tom Hanks’s directorial debut, the fantastically contagious That Thing You Do.

I challenge you to find a catchier song than this:

That Thing You Do earned Adam a 1996 Oscar nom.

In theater, television, film, and the record industry, he racked up the work and accolades.

From Deadline:

[He won three Emmys] for co-writing original songs for the Tony Awards ceremony in 2012 and 2013 and for an original song for (the Rachel Bloom-starring) Crazy Ex-Girlfriend last year. Schlesinger was executive music producer for the CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend for its four-year run. During that time he wrote or co-wrote 157 songs with the series’ star/co-creator/executive producer Rachel Bloom and Jack Dolgen.

His TV composing resume also includes Sesame Street, Big Time Rush, Crank Yankers and House of Buggin’. He also worked on such film as Music and Lyrics and Damsels in Distress. Schlesinger also co-wrote the music and lyrics for the 2008 Broadway musical Cry-Baby and penned the music for 2015’s An Act of God.

Schlesinger shared a 2010 Best Comedy Album Grammy for A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! and a 2013 WGA Award as part of the writing team for the 66th Tony Awards.

In light of his passing, Diane Warren — arguably the most successful career songwriter of the 20th century — tweeted, “[S]o sorry to hear this. … [R]IP Adam Schlesinger. Love and prayers to his family. Thank U for the songs.”

The world of entertainment is mourning an incredible, uniquely talented, prolific music-maker:

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

You’re never just a kid from somewhere when you’re a kid from Jersey. The music world lost a good one.

Sending our love to Adam’s family. https://t.co/ViGdEQgxic

— Jon Bon Jovi (@jonbonjovi) April 2, 2020

I have so much to say about Adam Schlesinger that I am at a complete loss for words. He is irreplaceable.

— Rachel Bloom (@Racheldoesstuff) 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

Ugh. Heartbreaking to hear about Adam Schlesinger having passed. Such a brilliant songwriter.

— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) April 1, 2020

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-dPnjAldPJ/?utm_source=ig_embed

I was a huge Fountains of Wayne fan, and I just found out about the passing of Adam Schlesinger. Heartbreaking.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) April 1, 2020