Fountains of Wayne and Ivy co-founder Adam Schlesinger died today from complications of COVID-19. It’s been a real shock — he was just 52 — and there’s been an outpouring of tributes from all over the spectrum, from fellow musicians like Lloyd Cole, AC Newman, Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Tanya Donelly (Belly), Barenaked Ladies, Dashboard Confessional, Joe Pernice, and Ted Leo, to Bret Easton Ellis, Stephen King, Stephen Colbert, Elijah Wood, Kathy Griffin, NJ Governor Phil Murphy, Fran Drescher, and more. Tom Hanks — whose feature film directorial debut, That Thing You Do, Adam Schlesinger wrote the Oscar-nominated theme song for — paid tribute, too, saying, “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.”
Read those tributes below.
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
I am so saddened by the news of the passing of songwriter Adam Schlesinger from COVID 19. Adam wrote the song THAT THING YOU DO. He had extraordinary musical talent. His loss is deeply felt.
— Rita Wilson (@RitaWilson) April 2, 2020
I’m so saddened to hear of the death of Adam Schlesinger due to Covid19. From the Dana Carvey show to A Colbert Christmas Special, he was a great (and patient) and talented artist with whom it was my good luck to work. Peace.
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) April 2, 2020
From his work with @fountainsofwayn to his award-winning credits in TV, movies, and stage, millions of fans caught that radiation vibe Adam Schlesinger was groovin' on. A sad, sad loss for Jersey's music scene.
https://t.co/7ZYnXdoT2n— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 1, 2020
this is devastating. an incredible musical mind and a very sweet guy. i remember watching the fountains of wayne years ago and thinking something that i've only thought a few times, that we the audience were the congregation at a church of pop. thank you for all the joy adam. https://t.co/AcONk7tSVF
— matthew caws (@nadasurf) April 2, 2020
This is terrible news. In addition to the credits Mr. Erlewine mentions below, Adam also wrote FANTASTIC song parodies for TV's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I'm so sad about this. https://t.co/SikfIx0Db3
— Tim Quirk (@tbquirk) April 1, 2020
Adam Schlesinger was one talented man and the world will be a less tuneful place without him. I wrote a few songs with him when I was living in New York and he had a brilliant gift for melody. ♥️Love and healing to his family #AdamSchlesinger pic.twitter.com/EPBaIj6J4r
— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) April 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/marcmaron/status/1245535987918225409
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
RIP Adam Schlesinger, an incredibly talented and beautiful soul who died far too young today due to complications of CV19 and a criminally negligent govt. FOW’s poignant
All Kinds of Time (produced by another great who left us too soon, Mike Denneen 💔)https://t.co/VcP26P8d3h— Belly (@bellytheband) April 2, 2020
Raising my head above water to say that I’m grieving Adam Schlesinger. I know so many people who knew him much better than I did, and I’m grieving for them as well. Love to you all in trying times.
— Continuity Ted Leo Account 🍉 (@tedleo) April 1, 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
https://twitter.com/ACNewman/status/1245480516641591296
https://twitter.com/youarestars/status/1245492464011612160
https://twitter.com/benleemusic/status/1245484905384960000
This one hurts. Our friend and producer of Even If It Kills Me, the tremendously talented Adam Schlesinger, passed away today due to complications from Coronavirus. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
— Motion City Soundtrack (@MotionCityMusic) April 2, 2020
Fuck. The world is suddenly a much shittier place without Adam Schlesinger in it. RIP pal. October 31, 1967-April 1, 2020
“What else is new?
What can I do?
But sing this valley winter song
I wrote for you” – Fountains of Wayne 2003— Counting Crows (@CountingCrows) April 2, 2020
adam schlesinger took pop music writing to its classiest and most untouchable place. an honor to live at the same time he made his work.
— jackantonoff (@jackantonoff) April 1, 2020
For Adam Schlesinger • Gutted to hear that Adam Schlesinger is fighting for his life against COVID-19. Huge inspiration to me. #fountainsofwayne pic.twitter.com/F70SNsiwTs
— Barenaked Ladies (@barenakedladies) March 31, 2020
I am grasping for the right words. My dear friend Adam Schlesinger has passed away from COVID-19. You know him best through his music. From his band @fountainsofwayn to the countless movies and tv shows he scored, most recently My Crazy Ex Girlfriend (cont’d) pic.twitter.com/to8H4IoLtj
— Dashboard Confessional (@dashboardmusic) April 1, 2020
RIP: Adam Schlesinger, probably the greatest pop songwriter of his generation. Created at least three seminal records with Fountains of Wayne. Welcome Interstate Managers is the masterpiece.
All Kinds Of Time https://t.co/eDGDmANqHL via @YouTube— Bret Easton Ellis (@BretEastonEllis) April 1, 2020
Ugh. Heartbreaking to hear about Adam Schlesinger having passed. Such a brilliant songwriter.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) April 1, 2020
a few years ago i noticed adam schlesinger followed me, i did the uncool move of DMing to say i'd been a fan since i was a kid – from that thing you do, josie soundtrack, fountains of wayne, more. he messaged back, couldn't have been more encouraging + kind. RIP to a songs hero
— speedy ortiz ÷ sad13 ÷ sadie dupuis ÷ haunted guy (@sad13) April 1, 2020
Too upset to do much right now other than share this. Adam, Chris & I and I became friends in Radio Bar, early 90's. I love that first FOW album. Making The Negatives I asked if he could produce. No time, but we did a little. This. RIP Adam Schlesinger. https://t.co/6R1UNsMvwj
— Lloyd Cole (@Lloyd_Cole) April 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/jonahray/status/1245478226773737472
Oh god. Adam Schlesinger was wildly talented. He graciously wrote the theme song to my “KATHY” talk show called “I’ll say it” He was so patient with me as I was recording it in the booth, guiding me at every step. He did the gig as a favor, in a little home studio on a Saturday💔 https://t.co/SpTdcoBIco
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) April 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/JPernicious/status/1245493832726335489
https://twitter.com/RonSexsmith/status/1245486038656716813
Adam Schlesinger’s “That Thing You Do” is an amazing song, but don’t sleep on the fake Wham! number he wrote for the opening of Music and Lyrics.
— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) April 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1245497710347608064
Rest In Peace Adam Schlesinger. The musician & songwriter, who co-founded Fountains of Wayne, won an Emmy for his work on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and was nominated for an Oscar for writing the theme song to That Thing You Do, has died at age 52 due to complications from COVID-19. 💔 pic.twitter.com/i0D2TP9EQw
— Amoeba Music (@amoebamusic) April 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/MiaFarrow/status/1245527325229408257