Fountains of Wayne star dead at 52 from coronavirus complications

Adam Schlesinger has died of coronavirus complications a day after his family said his condition was improving.

Musician and singer-songwriter Adam Schlesinger, a founding member of the band Fountains of Wayne, has died in hospital from coronavirus complications.

Schlesinger was 52. He is divorced and is survived by two daughters, Variety reports.

Tributes are flowing for Adam Schlesinger.

Fans rallied around Schlesinger as news of his coronavirus hospitalisation became public, and in a promising update just yesterday his family said his condition was “improving”.

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"Thank you for the outpouring of love for Adam and his family. Adam has been hospitalised with COVID-19. He’s on a ventilator and has been sedated to facilitate his recovery. He is receiving excellent care, his condition is improving and we are cautiously optimistic. His family appreciates all of the love and support,” his family said in a statement provided to Billboard the day before his death.

In recent years Schlesinger (left) was a songwriter on the cult musical comedy series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Schlesinger was a founding member of the rock band Fountains of Wayne, best known for the 2003 hit single Stacy’s Mom. He was also a prolific songwriter and producer in film (That Thing You Do), television (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and musicals (Cry Baby).

Friends and fans are today paying tribute to Schlesinger and the body of work he leaves behind:

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

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 haunted presence? (@sad13) April 1, 2020

In college after this song first came out some friends and I used to sneakily take over the music at other people’s parties to play it. One time it played I think 3 times in an row before anyone complained. RIP Adam Schlesinger, musical genius https://t.co/gsfDmXhwfr

— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) April 1, 2020

Adam Schlesinger wrote THE best original song for a film. RIP https://t.co/beyemaBBrd

— JONAH RAY RODRIGUES (@jonahray) April 1, 2020

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