He was 66 years old.
Photo credit: Soft Cell – Facebook
Dave Ball, co-founder of Soft Cell and one of the UK’s most influential electronic musicians, has died at the age of 66. The news was confirmed by his longtime bandmate Marc Almond, who shared that Ball “passed away peacefully in his sleep” on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, following a long illness.
Born in Chester in 1959, Ball formed Soft Cell with Almond in 1978 at Leeds Art School. Their 1981 hit ‘Tainted Love’ reached number one in 17 countries and defined early ’80s synth-pop. Their debut ‘Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret’ remains a genre cornerstone.
After three albums, Soft Cell disbanded in 1984. Ball then worked with Psychic TV, The Grid, and Other People. The duo reunited in 2001 and toured regularly, last headlining Rewind Festival in August 2025.
Paying tribute, the Pet Shop Boys called Ball a “keyboard genius” and praised his “completely original” contributions to electronic pop. Almond also spoke of their decades-long creative partnership: “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.”
Ball had been working on a new Soft Cell album titled ‘Danceteria’, described as a return to their New York club scene roots. Almond reflected: “At any given time, someone around the world is dancing to a Soft Cell song — even if it’s just that particular two-and-a-half-minute epic.”
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