Adam Schlesinger, singer-songwriter of Fountains of Wayne and Ivy and award-winning second career writing songs for film, theater and television, has passed away. He was 52. Schlesinger passed on Wednesday due to complications from COVID-19.

Schlesinger carved out his career beginnings with songwriting partner Chris Collingwood in Fountains of Wayne, who released five studio albums between 1996 and 2011. The band spawned a slew of hits, including the generation-defining Grammy-nominated earworm ‘Stacey’s Mom’.

In addition to his work with Fountains of Wayne, Schlesinger released six albums with the band Ivy, was a member of Tinted Windows (a power-pop supergroup with Taylor Hanson of Hanson, Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick and James Iha of The Smashing Pumpkins) and the synth-pop band Fever High.

Schlesinger conquered the songwriting realm in theatre, television and cinema. He wrote the theme song for the Tom Hanks-directed 1996 film That Thing You Do!, which earned him a nomination for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. He also won three Emmy Awards for his musical contributions to the TV show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. 

In 2008, Schlesinger penned the music for the 2008 Broadway hit Cry-Baby, alongside David Javerbaum, based on the John Water’s film of the same name. His work on the musical earned a Tony nomination for best original score.

Before his passing, Schlesinger was working with Sarah Silverman on a stage production of her memoir The Bedwetter. The performance was set to hit Atlantic Theater Company stage this month but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schlesinger’s contemporaries and collaborators have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late musician.

“Adam, you were a brilliant songwriter, musician, collaborator and friend,” shared David Javerbaum, “You enriched millions of lives with your boundless creativity, none more than mine.”

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