Dave Ball, the pioneering musician and co-founder of the iconic synth-pop duo Soft Cell, has died at the age of 66. His death was confirmed through official channels on Tuesday, with a statement noting that Ball passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in London on October 22.
In a heartfelt tribute, Soft Cell frontman and longtime collaborator Marc Almond described Ball as a “wonderfully brilliant musical genius.” The two artists shared nearly five decades of friendship and musical partnership, leaving an indelible mark on British pop and electronic music.
“Dave poured his heart and soul into music from first to last,” the band’s statement read. “He was an inspiration to so many and continued to perform with passion and joy until the end.”
Ball had recently performed with Almond at the Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames, where Soft Cell headlined to a crowd of more than 20,000 fans. The appearance served as one of his final live performances, a fitting celebration of his enduring influence and creativity, as per the BBC.
Soft Cell first burst onto the music scene in the early 1980s with their groundbreaking debut album, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981). The record became a defining moment in the evolution of British synth-pop, blending experimental electronic textures with catchy pop melodies and provocative lyrics. The duo’s fusion of dark, alternative energy with mainstream appeal helped shape the sound of the decade.
Their hit single “Tainted Love,” a reimagined version of Gloria Jones’s Northern Soul classic, became a global phenomenon. Ball’s innovative electronic arrangement and Almond’s distinctive vocals propelled the track to international success, solidifying Soft Cell’s place in music history. The song remains one of the best-selling singles of the 1980s and a defining anthem of the synth-pop movement.
Beyond Tainted Love, Soft Cell’s influence extended to later acts such as Yazoo, Eurythmics, Pet Shop Boys, and Erasure, who built upon the duo’s blueprint for electronic pop. Ball’s bold approach to synthesizers and production helped reshape how pop music could sound — minimalist yet emotionally powerful.
Even in his later years, Ball remained active in the studio and on stage. Soft Cell released their most recent album, Happiness Not Included, in 2021, marking their first full-length project in nearly two decades.
Tributes from fans and fellow musicians have poured in since the news of his passing, celebrating Ball’s creativity, warmth, and pioneering spirit. His legacy as one of Britain’s most influential electronic musicians will continue to inspire generations to come.
Soft Cell’s Marc Almond has released a full tribute, which can be found below.
“It is hard to write this, let alone process it, as Dave was in such a great place emotionally. He was focused and so happy with the new album that we literally completed only a few days ago. It’s so sad as 2026 was all set to be such an uplifting year for him, and I take some solace from the fact that he heard the finished record and felt that it was a great piece of work. Dave’s music is better than ever. His tunes and hooks are still unmistakably Soft Cell, yet he always took it to the next level too. He was a wonderfully brilliant musical genius and the pair of us have been on a journey together for almost 50 years. In the early days we were obnoxious and difficult, two belligerent art students who wanted to do things our way, even if it was the wrong way. We were naive and made mistakes, although we never really saw them as such. It was all just a part of the adventure. Dave and I were always a bit chalk-and-cheese, but maybe that’s why the chemistry between us worked so well.
“Whenever we came back together after long periods apart there was always that warmth and chemistry. There was a deep mutual respect that gave our combined songwriting its unique power. We laughed a lot, and shared a sense of humour, and a love of film, books and music. Dave had shelves full of books and an array of wonderful and surprising musical references. He was the heart and soul of Soft Cell and I’m very proud of our legacy.
“It’s fitting in many ways that our next (and now our last) album together is called ‘Danceteria’, as that theme takes us back to New York City in the early 1980s where a good many of our musical ideas were formed. That was a time and place that really shaped us. As well as being quintessentially British, we always felt that we were also an honorary American band. We’ve been invested in the Soft Cell myths and stories, and ‘Danceteria’ will now stand as an album that brings everything full circle for us. I just wish that Dave could have stayed on long enough to celebrate our 50 years together in a couple of years’ time. He will always be loved by the Soft Cell fans who love his music and his music and memory will live on. At any given moment, someone somewhere in the world will be getting pleasure from a Soft Cell song.
“Thank you Dave for being an immense part of my life and for the music you gave me. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”
