Adam Schlesinger, the multi-talented songwriter, producer and co-founder of the New Jersey rock band Fountains of Wayne — best known for its 2003 pop hit “Stacy’s Mom” — has died due to complications from the coronavirus, according to multiple reports. He was 52.
Schlesinger, who grew up in Montclair and graduated from Montclair High School, had been ill and on a ventilator in an upstate New York hospital for the last week. His lawyer confirmed his death to Rolling Stone Wednesday evening.
Schlesinger co-founded Fountains of Wayne in 1995 and released five albums with the band.
He was a three-time Emmy winner, having worked in television — from “Sesame Street” to “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” — and wrote and produced for other bands, including his projects Ivy and Brooklyn-based Fever High.
He was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe in 1997 for writing the title track from the Tom Hanks film “That Thing You Do!” He was also nominated for two Tonys in 2008 for “Cry-Baby” the musical.
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