Dave Ball, half of the synth-pop duo Soft Cell, passed away this Wednesday, October 22, at the age of 66. Marc Almond, his musical partner of 46 years, excitedly announced the news in a statement, paying tribute to a “brilliant and wonderful musical genius.”
Born on May 3, 1959 in Chester and raised in Blackpool, Dave Ball discovered electronic music after seeing Kraftwerk on a BBC science programme. He met Marc Almond at Leeds Polytechnic in 1977, where they both studied art and formed Soft Cell.
The band helped define the sound of British music of the 1980s and beyond. His first album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret in 1981 paved the way for many synthesizer-based duos, such as Pet Shop Boys, Eurythmics, Yazoo and Erasure. Behind Almond’s flamboyant image, Ball created virtually all of the duo’s music, including originals like Say hello, wave AND living room-bedroom.
“Contaminated love”, a global phenomenon
His second single, tainted Lovea cover of a Gloria Jones song from 1965, reached number one in the UK charts and in 17 countries around the world. It was certified as the best-selling single in the United Kingdom in 1981 and entered the Guinness Book of Records for spending the longest time on the US Billboard chart. The title has sold more than 21 million copies worldwide.
Soft Cell’s version completely rebuilt the track, transforming it into a minimalist, choppy innuendo. This version had all the brutal intensity of underground post-punk music, while also functioning as a surprising new form of pop.
After the group disbanded in 1984, Dave Ball formed a new group called The Grid before reuniting with Almond for a Soft Cell album in 2001 and again in 2018. In 1988, Ball and Psychic TV member Richard Norris began a dance project called The Grid, and their 1994 rave single. swamp thing it reached number three in the United Kingdom.
Producer Dave Ball has also worked with artists including Kylie Minogue and Gavin Friday, and has remixed for David Bowie, Vanessa-Mae and Erasure.
one last album
The duo had recently completed one final album, Danceteria, the final mixes of which were completed just days before Ball’s death. Marc Almond confesses: “He was focused and very happy with the new album that we literally just finished a few days ago. It’s very sad because 2026 was shaping up to be an exciting year for him.”
Their last appearance together was a few weeks ago, when they headlined the Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames in front of over 20,000 people. Marc Almond noted that despite his health problems, Ball “had always returned determined to continue his work in the studio.”
In his tribute, Marc Almond sums up their unique relationship: “We were always a bit opposite, but perhaps that’s why our chemistry worked so well. When we met again after long periods of time, there was always this warmth and this chemistry, a deep mutual respect that gave a unique strength to our writing.”
Richard Norris, his partner in The Grid, spoke of the “great place” that Dave Ball occupied in “his musical life for many years.” “Being in a duo with someone is different from being in a group: the bond is very strong. That’s how it was between us,” he summarizes.
Dave Ball leaves behind four children and a musical legacy that transcends generations. As Marc Almond wrote: “at any moment, somewhere in the world, someone is listening, playing, dancing and enjoying a Soft Cell song.”
Source: BFM TV
