Acting

Dwight Twilley

Dwight Allan Twilley (6 June 1951 – 18 October 2023) was an American pop, rock, and power pop singer-songwriter best known for fronting the Dwight Twilley Band and for the group’s 1975 hit single “I’m on Fire.” He was also known for melodic, Beatles-influenced songwriting, including solo and band tracks such as “Remedies.” Twilley was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and met fellow musician Phil Seymour in 1967 after they both attended a screening of “A Hard Day’s Night.” The two quickly began writing and recording together, forming a long-term creative partnership. In the early 1970s they performed under the name Oister, developing a hook-driven, British Invasion-inspired sound before signing with Shelter Records in 1974 as the Dwight Twilley Band. Their breakthrough single “I’m on Fire” reached No. 16 on the charts in 1975 despite limited promotion, giving the band early visibility. However, label instability and delayed releases hindered their momentum. The planned follow-up single “Shark” was rejected due to concerns it would be associated with the success of the film “Jaws,” and their debut album “Sincerely” was delayed, ultimately limiting its commercial impact. A second album recorded in England also remained unreleased at the time.