Dave Ball, half of the electronic music duo Soft Cell, has died at the age of 66.
The electronic music pioneer died peacefully in his sleep at his London home on Wednesday, according to a post on Soft Cell's official website.
His musical partner Marc Almond, who has collaborated with Ball for 46 years, officiated at the ceremony, calling the musician a “wonderful, brilliant musical genius” and “the heart and soul of Soft Cell.”
In a lengthy statement, the 68-year-old artist said they had completed work on their next album. Dance cluba few days before Ball's death.
“He was focused and so happy with this new album that we literally completed a few days ago. “It's so sad because 2026 was shaping up to be a particularly exciting year for him and I take some comfort in the fact that he was able to listen to the finished album and consider it a great work,” he wrote, before expressing his sadness that they didn't reach the 50th anniversary of their collaboration.
Marc Almond continued: “The Soft Cell fans who love his music will always love him, and his music and his memory will live on. Anytime, somewhere in the world, someone gets a kick out of listening to a Soft Cell song. Thank you, Dave, for being such a huge part of my life and for the music you gave me. I wouldn't be who I am without you.”
Electronic musician Dave Ball formed Soft Cell with singer Marc Almond in 1979, and two years later they released their debut album Non-stop erotic cabaretincluding their biggest hit, Tainted Lovewhich became the UK's best-selling single of 1981.
They released four more albums between 1983 and 2022.
As well as being a synth-pop band, Ball also founded electronic duo The Grid with Richard Norris and has worked with artists such as David Bowie, Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys and Erasure as a songwriter and producer.
Soft Cell's next album. Dance clubexpected to be released in spring 2026.
Dave Ball leaves behind his immediate family, including four children.
