Dave Ball, the musician behind hit band Soft Cell, has died at the age of 66, the band has confirmed in a heartbreaking tribute.
The electronic musician died in “peacefully in his sleep at his London home” on Wednesday – just a few days after he completed the final Soft Cell album, the band have confirmed in a heartbreaking statement. Dave’s bandmate Marc Almond, who he performed hits including Tainted Love and Say Hello, Wave Goodbye with, has paid tribute.
Almond, 68, said: “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.
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Redferns)
“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.”
Almond’s tribute continued: “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 song-writing 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.”
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BBC)
Almond added: “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.”
Just weeks before his death, Dave performed alongside Marc which is now his final live performance. The duo performed at Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames.
Dave formed Soft Cell alongside Marc after the pair met at Leeds Polytechnic, which Dave had been studying art. The duo formed in the 1979 and lasted until 1984. They were best known for hits including a cover of Gloria Jones’ Tainted Love, Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, and Torch.
Their music paved the way for a string of pop synth duos including Pet Shop Boys, Yazoo and Eurythmics.
While with the band, Dave released a solo album titled In Strict Tempo. Ball also worked as a producer, songwriter and remixer with artists including Kylie Minogue, David Bowie and Pet Shop Boys.
The group went their separate ways in 1984 before reuniting in 2000 for a run of live shows and a mini tour, before releasing their fourth album Cruelty Without Beauty in 2002. In 2005 the duo went on to release a compilation of early demos called The Bedsit Tapes.
Soft Cell came back together again in 2018 for what was billed as a final reunion UK concert at The O2 in London, and in 2022 they released fifth studio album Happiness Not Included, after returning to gigging in 2021.
The band completed their sixth studio album, Danceteria, named after the 1980s New York nightclub, which is due to be released in Spring 2026, just days before Ball’s death.
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