David Ball, one half of the legengary ’80s synth pop duo Soft Cell, has died. He was 66.
The musician and his musical partner Marc Almond enjoyed global success with their 1981 cover of Gloria Jones’ song Tainted Love, which became the UK’s second biggest-selling single of 1981.
His death was confirmed in a statement posted to the official Soft Cell website and Almond’s personal website.
In a statement provided to the BBC, Ball’s family confirmed that he died peacefully in his sleep at his London Home on Wednesday 22 October.
No cause of death has been reported.
It is known, however, that Ball suffered health complications following a back injury.
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In a 2023 interview with The Yorkshire Post, Ball opened up about his injury and health issues.
“I fractured my lower vertebrae in my spine and cracked about five ribs and broke my wrist – I managed to damage myself quite a bit,” he told the publication.
He later suffered a bout of pneumonia and sepsis and landed in the intensive care unit in an induced coma. He spent a total of seven months in hospital.
Since recovering from his time in hospital, Ball has taken to the stage for Soft Cell shows on numerous occasions.
Most recently, just weeks before his death, the music duo performed a show at the UK’s Rewind Festival. During that concert, Ball took to the stage in a wheelchair.
Earlier this year, they came to Australia for their first tour Down Under.
In the wake of his death, Almond penned an emotional tribute to his “wonderful music partner and friend”.
“It is hard to write this, let alone process it,” he began before explaining that Ball had been in “such a great place emotionally” before his death and was “focused and so happy” with the new album they had just complete called Danceteria.
Soft Cell went on several hiatuses throughout the years. They produced six albums together over five decades, the latest is set for release next year.
Ball and Almond met during their studies at Leeds Polytechnic in 1977 and formed Soft Cell that same year.
“He was a wonderfully brilliant musical genius and the pair of us have been on a journey together for almost 50 years,” Almond continued in his tribute.
“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 continued to praise Ball as the “heart and soul of Soft Cell” and expressed that he is “very proud of [their] legacy”.
Almond concluded his tribute, writing: “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.”
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For a period Ball had also been part of the techno duo The Grid, who found success with the 1994 song Swamp Thing.
His The Grid musical partner Richard Norris also paid tribute to the late musician.
“We went through so many remarkable, extraordinay, life-affirming experiences together,” he said.
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