Soft Cell's musical force Dave Ball dies, aged 66

Dave Ball, a prominent figure in the 1980s synth-pop movement as one half of Soft Cell, passed away at 66 years old. He and singer Marc Almond achieved international success with their rendition of Gloria Jones’ Tainted Love and their acclaimed album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret. Additionally, Ball founded The Grid, a techno group known for their hit Swamp Thing in 1994. Sadly, he peacefully passed away at his London home, following a recent headline show at Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames.

During their final performance, Ball performed in a wheelchair due to health issues he had been facing for the past two years. Despite his struggles, he managed to continue working on music with Almond, including their upcoming album Danceteria, set for release the following year. Almond expressed his grief over Ball’s passing, describing him as a musical genius and emphasizing his importance in Soft Cell’s legacy. Richard Norris of The Grid also shared kind words, highlighting Ball’s laughter and unwavering friendship throughout their time together.

Born in 1959 in Chester, Ball was given up for adoption as a child and grew up in Blackpool. His musical journey began after meeting Almond at Leeds Polytechnic in 1977, leading to the formation of Soft Cell. Together, they created a unique blend of dark electronica and catchy melodies, with Tainted Love becoming a massive hit in the early 80s. Despite the duo’s success, personal struggles and diverging paths eventually led to the dissolution of Soft Cell, only to reunite periodically over the years to create new music together

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