(*66*)Soft Cell musician dies at 66…
Dave Ball, who served as half of the English duo Soft Cell and maybe best recognized for the 1981 hit “Tainted Love,” has died. He was 66.
Marc Almond, Ball’s music accomplice and the other half of the synth-pop pair, announced the news in a Facebook publish on Thursday.
Almond, 68, revealed that the late instrumentalist died “peacefully in his sleep” on Tuesday, Oct. 21. No explanation for demise was given.
Dave Ball, who served as half of the English synth-pop duo Soft Cell, has handed away at 66. Marc Almond/Facebook
Soft Cell members Marc Almond and Ball posing in a London studio in Nov. 1981. Redferns
“As many of you are aware, Dave has been ill for a long while and his health had been in slow decline over recent years,” the Soft Cell co-founder shared. “Yet he always came back with a determined spirit to continue his work in the studio.”
The “Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret” artist added that although Ball had been “unable to travel abroad,” he was “still able to perform with me as Soft Cell on occasions in the UK.”
Ball’s last live performance look was at the Rewind Festival exterior Henley-on-Thames again in August, Almond said, when the duo carried out before an viewers of more than 20,000 people.
Ball and Almond filming the music video for his or her track “Soul Inside” on Sept. 20, 1983. Getty Images
During that present, Ball reportedly carried out in a wheelchair after fracturing a part of his backbone, cracking 5 ribs and breaking his wrist two years earlier, according to the BBC.
He later caught pneumonia and developed sepsis, the outlet reported, and was positioned in an induced coma for months.
Ball and Almond, meanwhile, accomplished a new album, “Danceteria,” just days before the producer’s demise.
Almond and Ball in 1982, one 12 months after making their breakthrough with the Soft Cell hit “Tainted Love.” L J Van Houten / Shutterstock
“The pair of us have been on a journey together heading on for 50 years with ups and downs, successes and failures, though to us it was never failure, just all part of the adventure, and it was one hell of an adventure,” the new wave rocker shared.
“Thank you Dave for being an immense part of my life and for the music you gave me,” he later concluded his touching tribute. “I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”
Ball and Almond shaped Soft Cell together in 1978. Although they collaborated and carried out across the UK for a few years, the duo didn’t get big until 1981 and the release of their platinum-selling debut album, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret.
Almond and Ball performing a live performance during the peak of Soft Cell’s reputation in the early Eighties. ITV / Shutterstock
“Tainted Love,” a canopy initially launched by R&B queen Gloria Jones in 1964, rapidly grew to become a No. 1 hit and went on to promote more than 20 million copies, per the BBC.
The Post has reached out to Almond’s reps for additional remark.
Soft Cell’s official web site remembered the late digital musician in a separate message.
Ball performing at the O2 Academy in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 10, 2021. Redferns
The web site shared that Ball “passed away peacefully in his sleep” at his dwelling in London, however claimed that he died on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
“Dave’s passing is announced with great sadness and affection for this gregarious, warm-hearted man of many musical talents,” the message read, partially.
“Dave is survived by his close family including his four children,” it continued. “We would like to respect Dave Ball’s family’s privacy at this very sad time.”
Ball performing at the Eventim Apollo in London, England, on Nov. 16, 2021. Redferns
Another artist to pay tribute to Ball following the news of his passing was Richard Norris, a member of the digital dance duo The Grid. Ball and Norris shaped The Grid in 1988.
“Dave has been a huge part of my musical life for many years,” the musician and DJ started. “Being in a duo with someone is different from being in a band: the bond is very tight. That’s how it was with us. We went through so many remarkable, extraordinary, life-affirming experiences together.”
“Thank you, Dave. Thanks for the good times, the endless laughter, your unwavering friendship,” Norris, 60, added. “Most of all, thank you for the music.”
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