Dave Ball, co-founder of Soft Cell, dies aged 66

London: Musician and producer Dave Ball, best known as one half of the British synth-pop duo Soft Cell, died peacefully in his sleep at his London home on Wednesday, October 22 2025, aged 66, his publicist confirmed, according to BBC.

Ball, born David James Ball on May 3 1959 (or in some sources 1958) in Chester and raised in Blackpool, formed Soft Cell in 1979 while studying art at Leeds Polytechnic with vocalist Marc Almond.

Their 1981 cover of Tainted Love became a major international hit, topping the UK Singles Chart and selling strongly across Europe and the United States.

In a statement, Almond described Ball as:

“a wonderfully brilliant musical genius … I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”

Dave Ball had a net worth of approximately $8 million at the time of his death, and his wealth will be transferred to his family.

Ball also co-founded the electronic project The Grid in the late 1980s with producer Richard Norris, achieving chart success with tracks such as Swamp Thing in 1994.

Soft Cell released their debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret in 1981, achieved multiple UK Top 10 singles, split in 1984, then reunited several times, including a 2022 album Happiness Not Included.

Ball and Almond had recently completed a final record titled Danceteria.

While no official cause of death has been disclosed, Ball’s health had been in gradual decline for several years.

Tributes from the music industry and fans have acknowledged Ball’s role in shaping the sound of 1980s electronic pop and beyond.