Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne dies of coronavirus at 52
The award-winning singer-songwriter Adam Schlesinger, best known for his work with US rock band Fountains of Wayne, has reportedly died at the age of 52 after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
He died on Wednesday morning, The Guardian reported, citing Variety.
A statement from his family on Tuesday said he was in hospital in New York fighting Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
Schlesinger was divorced and is survived by his two daughters. He was best known as the bass player and co-songwriter of Fountains Of Wayne, the power pop band whose hits included Stacy’s Mom and Hey Julie.
They formed in New Jersey in 1995 and were named after a lawn ornament store in the state.
Over his career, Schlesinger earned nominations for an Oscar, a Golden Globe, Tonys, Grammys and Emmys, winning the latter two.
In 2019 he won the Emmy for outstanding original music and lyrics for Antidepressants Are So Not A Big Deal from the TV musical drama Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
It was one of his three Emmy wins. Schlesinger won a Grammy in 2009 for his work on A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All!
His Oscar nomination came in 1997 for writing the title track on That Thing You Do!, a musical comedy directed by Tom Hanks.