Home / Arts and Entertainment / Synth Pioneer Dave Ball, Co-Founder of Soft Cell, Dies at 66
Synth Pioneer Dave Ball, Co-Founder of Soft Cell, Dies at 66
23 Oct
Summary
- Soft Cell co-founder Dave Ball dies at age 66
- Helped bring dark, cutting-edge synth-pop to the masses
- Collaborated with musician Richard Norris as the Grid
In a tragic loss for the music world, Dave Ball, the synth player and producer who co-founded the influential band Soft Cell, has passed away at the age of 66. Ball, who was born in Chester in 1959, co-founded Soft Cell with Marc Almond in 1978 and helped bring the group's dark, cutting-edge synth-pop sound to the masses.
Soft Cell's 1981 cover of "Tainted Love" was a global smash hit, reaching number one in the UK and 16 other countries, as well as the US Top 10. The duo went on to score five more UK Top 10 hits before amicably splitting in 1984. After Soft Cell, Ball continued to make music, including a successful collaboration with musician Richard Norris as the dance project the Grid.
Almond, Ball's longtime musical partner, paid tribute, saying, "He was a wonderfully brilliant musical genius... 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's death comes just days after he and Almond had completed a new Soft Cell album, which Almond described as "a great piece of work." The music world has lost a true pioneer and innovator.
