David Ackles (February 27, 1937 - March 2, 1999) was a Californian singer-songwriter of the 1960s and 1970s. 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 are self-declared fans of Ackles. When Collins was on the British radio show Desert Island Discs, he selected Ackles' song "Down River" as one of his eight most favorite songs.