I brought my little brother, and Phil brought somebody. Twilley remembered, "If you brought a kid with you, you got in for free. The pair both attended a matinee of "A Hard Day's Night" in 1967, a screening intended for children. The Beatles were also the catalyst for his introduction to Seymour. (Mark Sullivan)īorn in Tulsa on June 6, 1951, Dwight Twilley displayed an affection for the arts before witnessing the Beatles play on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964, but that particular performance inspired him to form a group called the Intruders when he was in middle school. In Tulsa, he opened his own studio and launched his own record label, spending the last half of his life releasing collections of bright, effervescent tunes that adhered to the artistic standards he initially essayed with "Sincerely." Occasionally, one of his old songs surfaced in unexpected places - " Looking for the Magic" sounded effectively ominous in the 2011 horror film "You're Next" - but Twilley largely played to a cult audience who shared his passion for immaculately crafted pop-rock.ĭwight Twilley, left, and Phil Seymour in 1976. ![]() ![]() On his own, Twilley did earn a second chart hit in 1984 with the insistent " Girls," but he ultimately embraced his role as a cult act. But sucked into the vortex of the collapse of Shelter Records, the band couldn't capitalize on "I'm on Fire," leading to internal tensions that ultimately led Seymour to leave Twilley behind. With its accompanying album "Sincerely" garnering positive reviews, including a rave from Rolling Stone, the Dwight Twilley Band seemed poised to follow a similar trajectory to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, label mates at Leon Russell's Shelter Records and kindred spirits who also updated the jangle of 1960s garage rock for the slicker 1970s. Twilley achieved one of those with "I'm on Fire," the debut single from the Dwight Twilley Band, a group he co-led with his old friend Phil Seymour, which shot into the Top 20 upon its release in 1975. He died at a hospital four days later.Ī lifelong disciple of the Beatles who also harbored an enduring love for Elvis Presley, Twilley devoted his career to hooks, harmonies and ringing guitars, a combination designed to evoke the platonic ideal of a hit pop single. We are profoundly thankful for the enduring musical legacy he has bestowed upon us all.”Īccording to his hometown newspaper Tulsa World, Twilley suffered a stroke Saturday while driving and crashed his vehicle into a tree. Dwight’s musical prowess touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of many. His death was confirmed by the Church Studio in Tulsa, Okla., where Twilley recorded many of his best-known songs, including his signature hit, "I'm on Fire." The Facebook announcement read, “He peacefully departed this world, surrounded by the love of his life, Jan, and close friends. ![]() (John Kisch Archive / Getty Images)ĭwight Twilley, one of the musicians who pioneered the rock subgenre known as power pop, died on Wednesday.
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