Adam Schlesinger Honored By Fountains of Wayne 3 Weeks After Dying From Coronavirus

Fountains of Wayne reunited for their first live performance in seven years to remember Adam Schlesinger, their co-founding group member who died on April 1 due to complications from coronavirus. 

Musicians Chris Collingwood, Jody Porter, Brian Young and Sharon Van Etten were among dozens to participate in Wednesday’s Jersey 4 Jersey concert special to benefit the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund.

Late-night star Stephen Colbert introduced the group, remarking, “I was lucky enough to work with one of their founding members, longtime Montclair resident Adam Schlesinger, who tragically passed away from the coronavirus. Tonight the band is reuniting for Adam, and for New Jersey.”

“This for Adam, his parents, his children and New Jersey,” Collingwood said before the group played “Hackensack,” a Jersey-inspired ballad featured on their 2003 album Welcome Interstate Managers.

Schlesinger was just 52 when he succumbed to COVID-19. The singer-songwriter, who received nominations for the Oscars, Tonys, Grammys and Emmys thanks to his involvement on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and That Thing You Do!, was hospitalized and on a ventilator at the time of his passing. 

In addition to Fountains of Wayne, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Charlie Puth, Halsey, Chris Rock, Tony Bennett, Kelly Ripa and Whoopi Goldberg all participated in Jersey 4 Jersey.

Whoopi urged viewers at home to donate to coronavirus relief efforts, sharing, per The Hollywood Reporter, “What I figured out since I started living in New Jersey is that it’s not just a state. It’s a family, and too many of us are hurting right now. After you do that, do not waste a single second and make sure you tell the people in your family and your friends that you love them.”