Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ACKLES, David

(b 20 Feb. '37, Rock Island IL) Singer/songwriter. From showbusiness family; child star of B movies. Began composing in college (Edinburgh, southern CA); worked as TV writer, signed to Elektra late '60s; intellectual element (interesting lyrics) made first two LPs critical successes but commercial failures. Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger had minor hit with 'Road To Cairo' '68; American Gothic '72 produced in England by Bernie Taupin made top 200 LPs in USA. Switched to Columbia; D. T. Ackles Five And Dime '73 notable for mournful quality rather than humour (e.g. 'Surf's Down'). His infl. persisted; Elvis Costello praised his work in an '84 interview.