Adam Lyons Schlesinger was a highly accomplished American musician known for his work with bands like Fountains of Wayne, Ivy, and Tinted Windows. His significant contributions as a songwriter, composer, and producer extended to renowned artists such as Fever High. His impressive body of work in television and film garnered numerous awards including three Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and an ASCAP Pop Music Award, along with nominations for Academy, Tony, and Golden Globe Awards. His life and prolific career were cut short by complications from COVID-19 at the age of 52.
October 31, 1967: Birth of Adam Schlesinger
Adam Lyons Schlesinger was born on October 31, 1967. He later became a renowned American musician, songwriter, composer, and record producer. He was a founding member of several bands and contributed significantly to music in various forms.
1996: Meeting Katherine Michel
Adam Schlesinger met Katherine Michel in 1996 at WXOU Radio Bar. They later married in 1999.
1997: Academy and Golden Globe Nominations for That Thing You Do!
In 1997, Adam Schlesinger received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for writing the title track of the film That Thing You Do!, directed by Tom Hanks. He also contributed two other songs for the film.
January 30, 1999: Marriage to Katherine Michel
Adam Schlesinger married Katherine Michel, a graphic designer and Yale graduate, on January 30, 1999. They met in 1996 at WXOU Radio Bar.
2003: Grammy Nominations for Fountains of Wayne
In 2003, Fountains of Wayne was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best New Artist and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the song 'Stacy's Mom.'
November 2007: Cry-Baby Debut at La Jolla Playhouse
Cry-Baby, a musical co-written by Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum, debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, California, in November 2007.
March 15, 2008: Cry-Baby Broadway Previews
Previews for the Broadway run of Cry-Baby, co-written by Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum, began at the Marquis Theatre on March 15, 2008. The musical is an adaptation of the John Waters film.
April 24, 2008: Cry-Baby Official Opening Night
The musical Cry-Baby, co-written by Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum, had its official opening night on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre on April 24, 2008.
2008: Tony Nominations for Cry-Baby
Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum received two Tony nominations in 2008 for Best Musical and Best Original Score for the musical Cry-Baby.
2009: Emmy Nomination and Grammy Win for A Colbert Christmas
In 2009, Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music and Lyrics for their song 'Much Worse Things' from A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! The album also won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.
2011: Daytime Emmy Nomination for I Wonder
Adam Schlesinger received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2011 for the song 'I Wonder' from Sesame Street, co-written with Molly Boylan.
2012: Emmy Award for It's Not Just for Gays Anymore
Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum received an Emmy Award in 2012 for Outstanding Music And Lyrics for their song 'It's Not Just for Gays Anymore,' performed by Neil Patrick Harris at the 65th Tony Awards.
2013: Daytime Emmy Nomination for Elmo the Musical
In 2013, Adam Schlesinger was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Original Song for his 'Elmo the Musical' theme for Sesame Street.
2013: Emmy Award for If I Had Time
In 2013, Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music And Lyrics for their song 'If I Had Time,' performed by Neil Patrick Harris at the 66th Tony Awards.
2013: Divorce from Katherine Michel
Adam Schlesinger and Katherine Michel divorced in 2013. They had two daughters, Sadie and Claire.
May 28, 2015: An Act of God Opening on Broadway
Adam Schlesinger co-wrote the closing song 'I Have Faith in You' for the play An Act of God, which opened on Broadway on May 28, 2015. The song was performed by Jim Parsons, Chris Fitzgerald, and Tim Kazurinsky.
2016: Emmy Nominations for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
In 2016, Adam Schlesinger received two Emmy nominations for his work on the CW series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for 'Settle for Me' and Outstanding Main Title Theme.
2017: Emmy Nomination for We Tapped That Ass
Adam Schlesinger received a 2017 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the song 'We Tapped That Ass' from the CW series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
2019: Emmy Win for Antidepressants Are So Not a Big Deal
In 2019, Adam Schlesinger won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for 'Antidepressants Are So Not a Big Deal' from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. He was also nominated for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music for 'Meet Rebecca' (Season 4 Theme).
April 1, 2020: Death of Adam Schlesinger
Adam Schlesinger passed away on April 1, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19 at the age of 52. He left a significant legacy in music, having won multiple awards and nominations throughout his career.
May 9, 2020: Planned Previews for The Bedwetter
Previews for The Bedwetter, a musical by Adam Schlesinger and Sarah Silverman, were set to begin on May 9, 2020, at the Atlantic's Linda Gross Theater. The dates were later postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 10, 2020: Planned Opening Night for The Bedwetter
The Bedwetter, a musical by Adam Schlesinger and Sarah Silverman, was scheduled to open on June 10, 2020, but the dates were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 16, 2020: "Saving for a Custom Van" Tribute Album Released
On June 16, 2020, a tribute album titled "Saving for a Custom Van" was released in memory of Adam Schlesinger. The album, featuring covers of songs written or performed by Schlesinger, was released by Father/Daughter Records with proceeds donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund.
2021: "Johnny Test" Revival Dedication
The 2021 revival of the animated series "Johnny Test" was dedicated in honor of Adam Schlesinger.
April 2022: The Bedwetter Premieres in Previews
The musical The Bedwetter, co-created by Adam Schlesinger and Sarah Silverman, finally premiered in previews in April 2022 after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2023: "That Thing You Do!" Cast Reunion and Soundtrack Vinyl Release
In October 2023, a reunion of the cast and crew of "That Thing You Do!" took place on Zoom and YouTube. The event featured reminiscences about Schlesinger and the movie, along with an auction for a test pressing of the soundtrack's first vinyl release.