Dave Ball diedhalf of Soft Cella duo that achieved great success in the early 1980s due to the version they recorded of ‘Tainted Love’. The British musician and producer had 66 years and, according to information provided by its representatives, “died peacefully in his sleep in your home London on Wednesday”.
Marc Almondwith whom he founded Soft Cell in 1978, reacted to the news, writing a long text on social media: “It’s hard to write thise process it toobut it is with great sadness that I tell you that the other half of Soft Cell, the wonderful and brilliant musical genius David Ball, has died.”
“As many of you knew, the Dave had been sick for a long time and his health had deteriorated a lot in recent years”, Almond also adds, adding that, despite the problems, Ball was still able to perform with him occasionally at concerts in the UK. “The last time was in Rewind festival a few weeks agowhere he played to more than 20 thousand people”.
“I wish he could have continued until we celebrate 50 years in a few years. He will always be loved by the fans who loved his music”, the musician further writes, “Thank you Dave, for being a huge part of my life and by music that gives me. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”
Born in Chester, England, and raised in Blackpool, David James Ball met Marc Almond while studying art at the University of Leeds. Together, they formed the Soft Cell em 1978a duo that remained active until 1984. Over these years, they recorded three albums, the first being “Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret”which launched them into the spotlight with the single ‘Tainted Love’, a version of an original recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964.
Responsible for duo synthesizerswhich maintained some success with songs like ‘Say Hello, Wave Goodbye’ or ‘Torch’, Ball would debut alone in 1983 with the album “In Strict Tempo”having, after the project split, collaborated with Genesis P-Orridge and founded The Grid. Soft Cell’s return would take place in 2001, with the release of the album “Cruelty Without Beauty”.
He cooperated com Kylie Minogue ou Gavin Friday, resturou themes of David Bowie ou Erasure and in 2016 he recorded the album “Photosynthesis” with Jon Savage. In 2024, “Happiness Now Completed”, Soft Cell’s most recent album, was released.