The music industry is reeling from shocking news, as GRAMMY-winner Adam Schlesinger, best known as co-founder, songwriter and bassist of Fountains Of Wayne and Ivy, as well as for his Emmy-winning and Oscar-nonimated work in tv and film, died from Coronavirus. Schlesinger had been diagnosed with COVID-19 one week earlier and was receiving medical care. He was 52 years old.
“We regret to be grieving the loss of another influential member of our creative community, Adam Schlesinger. The producer, songwriter and engineer had a remarkable career across television, film, theater, and music. He has left a mark on the entertainment industry, and we’re thinking of his family, friends and collaborators during this difficult time,” said Harvey Mason Jr, Chairman and Interim CEO Recording Academy.
Schlesenger grew up in New York and New Jersey and attended Williams College in Massachusetts, where he founded Fountains Of Wayne with Chris Collingwood. The band released their self-titled debut in 1996.
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Also in 1996, the hit Tom Hanks-directed film That Thing You Do! was released, and Schlenger received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for his part writing the infectiously catchy theme song. Hanks, who also battled COVID-19, paid tribute to Schlesinger on Twitter, referencing the movie's fictional Playtone Record Label.
"There would be no Playtone without Adam Schlesinger," tweeted Hanks. "He was a One-der. Lost him to Covid-19. Terribly sad today."
With Fountains Of Wayne, he was nominated for Best New Artist at the 46th GRAMMY Awards, as well Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for their 2003 smash rock anthem, "Stacy's Mom." At the 52nd GRAMMY Awards, Schlesinger won a GRAMMY for Best Comedy Album for his work on Stephen Colbert's Christmas special A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All!
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In addition to his GRAMMY win, Schlesinger also won two Emmys for songs he wrote for the 2012 and 2013 Tony Awards telecasts, and a third just last year for co-writing a song for the television series "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend." He was also nominated for two Tony Awards, including best musical, for the 2008 show “Cry-Baby.” Fountains Of Wayne released their most recent album in 2011.
Aline Brosh McKenna, co-creator of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and longtime friend of Schlesinger, called him, “The most brilliant, the most funny, the most clever, the most musical,” in a touching tribute post.
Schlesinger, too soon gone, will live on in the music he made and the lives he touched.
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Resources For Music Creators & Professionals Affected By COVID-19: West Region
