8 h. ago Dave Ball was not some bloke in the background of Soft Cell – he drove their startling, subversive sound

Far more than a mute foil to Marc Almond, Ball brought his love of northern soul and strange electronics to bear on some of Britain’s most uncompromising pop• News: Dave Ball, synth-pop hitmaker as one half of Soft Cell, dies aged 66By common consent, Soft Cell’s first Top of the Pops appearance, on 13 August 1981, ranks among the show’s most striking performances. It was impactful enough to send their single Tainted Love first into the Top Ten, then to No 1 – it ultimately became the second biggest-selling single of the year – and to provoke a number of complaints. The latter were caused by the duo’s frontman, Marc Almond, clad in eyeliner and jewellery, delivering his vocal with a weird combination of intense passion, high camp and occasional knowing looks to camera: he was clearly a gay man, but a gay man who declined to conform to the pantomime stereotype that still prevailed on British TV, a decision that first upset his own record company boss – who collared Almond backstage a...

Politics

10 h. ago Soft Cell star Dave Ball dead aged 66 as bandmates pay tribute

The tragedy comes days after he and bandmate Marc Almond completed what is now the final Soft Cell album.

Events

11 h. ago Soft Cell’s Dave Ball dies aged 66: Marc Almond pays emotional tribute to ‘brilliant musical genius’

‘It is hard to write this, let alone process it, as Dave was in such a great place emotionally’ - Marc Almond

Events

11 h. ago Soft Cell star Dave Ball dies aged 66 just days after finishing final album with band

The electronic musician died on Wednesday, just days after completing the final Soft Cell album, with bandmate Marc Almond describing him as a 'brilliant musical genius'.

Events

11 h. ago ‘Wonderfully brilliant musical genius’ Soft Cell’s Dave Ball dies aged 66

Ball’s death was confirmed by the band on Thursday.

Events

11 h. ago Dave Ball dead: Soft Cell star famed for hit Tainted Love dies after completing album

Soft Cell star Dave Ball has died at the age of 66, the band has confirmed. The electronic musician died on Wednesday days after completing the band's final album

Events

11 h. ago Dave Ball dead aged 66: Soft Cell star behind iconic hit Tainted Love dies in his sleep as bandmate pays tribute

ICONIC musician Dave Ball has died aged 66. The synth player and producer was best known as one half of popular 80s band Soft Cell. Representatives for the musician said he “passed away peacefully in his sleep at his London home on Wednesday”. Dave's cause of death has not yet been given. His partner in...

Events

11 h. ago Soft Cell member Dave Ball dies aged 66 days after completing final album

Soft Cell band member Marc Almond has paid tribute to Dave Ball, who has died at the age of 66 just days after they finished their final album

Events

59 h. ago Music lovers celebrate 30th anniversary of 'genius' album 'still relevant today'

An album celebrating 30 years since its release has been hailed as a timeless 'masterpiece' by fans, who believe it's as relevant now as it was on its release back in 1995

Culture