Tainted Love’ Musician David Ball Dead at 66
The synth-pop world is in mourning as news breaks that one of its most visionary pioneers — a man whose soundscapes shaped a generation — has passed.
David Ball, the electronic genius behind Soft Cell, has died at the age of 66, just weeks after what would become his final live performance. The devastating news was shared by the band's official website, leaving fans around the globe in shock.
David Ball performs at BBC Radio 2 In The Park 2023 at Victoria Park in Leicester, England on September 16 | Source: Getty Images
Marc Almond, Ball's longtime collaborator and closest creative partner, paid tribute to the man he called a "wonderfully brilliant musical genius." Their four-decade partnership didn't just define an era — it reinvented pop music entirely.
The pair first crossed paths in 1979 at Leeds Polytechnic, where they were both art students. That meeting sparked a collaboration that would change the music scene forever.
Marc Almond (left) and Dave Ball in London on November 1, 1981 | Source: Getty Images
Ball's futuristic electronic production collided with Almond's lyrical intensity, creating a sound that was both haunting and wildly addictive.
In 1981, the duo released their debut album, "Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret," a record that defied convention and carved a bold new path for British pop.
Marc Almond and Dave Ball perform "Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret," on stage at Eventim Apollo in London, England on November 15, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
From it came the seismic single, "Tainted Love," backed with "Where Did Our Love Go." The track shot to No. 1 in 17 countries and became the best-selling single in Britain that year.
With its brooding bassline, moody synth, and unforgettable vocals, "Tainted Love" became a cultural lightning bolt — inspiring acts like Yazoo, Eurythmics, Pet Shop Boys, and Erasure.
Dave Ball and Marc Almond perform on stage in London on November 15, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Ball was known for his obsessive studio experimentation. He hand-crafted extended 12-inch mixes using razor blades and tape, a painstaking method that set Soft Cell's music apart from the rest.
His love of Kraftwerk and Northern soul gave his work a unique balance — clinical precision with raw emotional heat. He didn't just help invent the sound of the 1980s. He changed how the world danced.
David Ball performs at O2 Academy Glasgow in Scotland on November 10, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Ball's final performance took place just weeks ago at the Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames, where Soft Cell headlined in front of 20,000 fans. It was a triumphant night — and unknowingly, a last curtain call.
According to the band's official website, Ball passed away peacefully in his sleep at his London home on Wednesday, October 22.