David Ackles

David Ackles
Ackles' eponymous first album, 1968
Ackles' eponymous first album, 1968
Background information
Born(1937-02-20)February 20, 1937
Rock Island, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMarch 2, 1999(1999-03-02) (aged 62)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationsSinger-songwriter
LabelsElektra Records
Columbia Records
Websitewww.davidackles.com

David Thomas Ackles (February 20, 1937 – March 2, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, pianist, and child actor. He recorded four albums between 1968 and 1973.

Describing Ackles' style in 2003, critic Colin McElligatt wrote, "An unlikely clash of anachronistic show business and modern-day lyricism...deeply informs his recorded output. Alternately calling to mind Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin, Robbie Robertson, Tim Hardin, and Scott Walker, Ackles forged an utterly unique sound out of stray parts that comprise a whole that is as uncompromising as it is unrivaled."[1]

Although he never gained wide commercial success, he influenced other artists, especially British singer-songwriters such as Elvis Costello, Elton John, and Phil Collins, all of whom declared themselves fans of Ackles. After Ackles' death Costello said, "It's a mystery to me why his wonderful songs are not better known."[2]

  1. ^ "Stylus Magazine". Stylusmagazine.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference terra was invoked but never defined (see the help page).