Adam Schlesinger died at the age of 52 after contracting coronavirus. Photo / AP
Adam Schlesinger died at the age of 52 after contracting coronavirus. Photo / AP
Tom Hanks, Stephen Colbert and Darren Criss are among the stars to have paid tribute to Adam Schlesinger.
The Fountains of Wayne frontman died on Wednesday morning at the age of 52 after contracting coronavirus and a number of his former collaborators and those he inspired have mourned the 'Stacey's Mom' hitmaker on Twitter.
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Hanks - who recently battled coronavirus himself - worked with Schlesinger on the 1996 movie That Thing You Do! and referenced the movie's fictional band, The Oneders, in his tweet.
He posted: "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."
Talk show host Colbert had worked with Schlesinger a number of times, including on a Christmas special and soundtrack where the songwriter was recognised with a Grammy Award and he admitted he felt fortunate to have collaborated with him.
He wrote: "I'm so saddened to hear of the death of Adam Schlesinger due to Covid-19. 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."
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.
Glee star Darren Criss reflected on how much Schlesinger's "cheekiness" as a lyricist had inspired him.
He tweeted: "For those of you who know my life as a songwriter- Adam Schlesinger's career was always a big source of inspiration for me. He had a lyrical cheekiness that was only matched by his expert understanding of form, and was always able to fuse the two in a really fun, accessible way."
For those of you who know my life as a songwriter- Adam Schlesinger’s career was always a big source of inspiration for me. He had a lyrical cheekiness that was only matched by his expert understanding of form, and was always able to fuse the two in a really fun, accessible way..
Like Colbert, Kathy Griffin reflected on how "patient" Adam was when they worked together.
She wrote: "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."
Rachel Bloom - who mourned the loss of her friend and My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend collaborator on the same day she welcomed a daughter into the world - was left "lost for words" by the news.
She wrote: "I have so much to say about Adam Schlesinger that I am at a complete loss for words. He is irreplaceable."
Schlesinger is survived by wife Katherine Michel and their two daughters, Sadie and Claire.
