David Ackles

David Ackles, born 27 February 1937, was a Californian singer/songwriter of the 1960s and 1970s. He died of lung cancer on 2 March 1999. Although he never gained wide commercial success he has influenced other artists, such as

David Ackles, born 27 February 1937, was a Californian singer/songwriter of the 1960s and 1970s. He died of lung cancer on 2 March 1999. Although he never gained wide commercial success he has influenced other artists, such as Elvis Costello.

His first album, the self-titled David Ackles (1968), made little direct public impact but was influential among singer-songwriters. This and his follow-up 1969 release, Subway to the Country, featured songs that melded strong theatrical influences with piano-based rock. His songs reflected the views of their characters-narrators, many of whom were societal outcasts. In this way he presaged many of the songs of Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle.