David "Dave" Ball (May 3, 1959 in Blackpool, Lancashire; October 22, 2025 in London) was a British producer and musician.

David Ball is usually referred to as "Dave Ball" on record covers. Together with Marc Almond, he founded the band Soft Cell in September 1980. Their major successes include "Tainted Love" (1981). Together with his wife Gini Ball and Marc Almond, Ball also collaborated on the first LP of the British industrial cult band Psychic TV in 1982.

David James Ball was born on 3 May 1959 in Chester, Cheshire, England, later adopted and brought up in Blackpool. He studied at Arnold School before studying art at Leeds Polytechnic, where he met Marc Almond; they formed the synthpop duo Soft Cell in 1978, the band lasting until 1984.[3] In 1983, while with the group, he released a solo album, In Strict Tempo, which featured Gavin Friday, Genesis P-Orridge and Virginia Astley.[3][4] Later he collaborated with P-Orridge on the soundtrack for the West German film Decoder, which also featured other Some Bizzare artists.

After Soft Cell disbanded, Ball formed a new band, Other People with his then-wife Gini Hewes (who previously worked with Almond in Marc and the Mambas) and Andy Astle, but they released only one single, "Have a Nice Day". In the late 1980s, he formed another short-lived band, English Boy on the Loveranch, with Nick Sanderson and Jamie Jones, releasing two hi-NRG singles, "The Man in Your Life" and "Sex Vigilante". He also was part of Psychic TV, working on the compilation albums Jack the Tab and Tekno Acid Beat, where he met Richard Norris (they recorded the track "Meet Every Situation Head On" together as M.E.S.H.) and with whom he later formed the Grid. with singles like Floatation, A Beat Called Love and Swamp Thing.

Ball reunited with Almond in Soft Cell in 2001, releasing new album Cruelty Without Beauty. In 2010, he formed the band Nitewreckage with Celine Hispiche, Rick Mulhall and Terry Neale. Their debut album, Take Your Money and Run, was released on Alaska Sounds on 6 June 2011, with the single "Solarcoaster" preceding it. The album was co-produced and mixed by Martin Rushent. In 2016, Ball and classical pianist Jon Savage collaborated on the experimental electronic album Photosynthesis. In 2018, Soft Cell saw another reunion for a final live show, celebrating their 40th anniversary since the duo were formed.

Ball also worked as a producer, with Vicious Pink Phenomena (who started as a backing duo for early Soft Cell), the Virgin Prunes and the Rose McDowall side-project Ornamental in the 1980s, and later with Kylie Minogue, Gavin Friday and Anni Hogan. He also remixed for artists and bands such as David Bowie, Vanessa-Mae and Erasure. Many remixes were also made with Norris as The Grid. Ball worked with Friday on a cover of Suicide's "Ghost Rider" for the Alan Vega 70th Birthday Limited Edition EP Series.

Soft Cell - Tainted Love (Remastered 2023)

The Grid - Swamp Thing

Dave Ball - Strict Tempo (1983)

 

Absolute Legend, Dave was one of the main reasons I got into synths. Non Stop Erotic Cabaret is a pivotal moment in Dance music a perfect blend of synth pop and northern soul, it set the trend for years to come. RIP Dave you will be missed.

 

Duplicated

 

Last edited: Oct 23, 2025 at 6:28 PM

RIP Mr Ball. An inspiration.
Soft Cell just released a limited edition remix of 'Martin' for Halloween. I loved the original and I like the remix. Based upon George A. Romero's 1977 horror movie of the same name.

 

Chips On My Shoulder (Remastered 2008)

Where Did Our Love Go? (Remastered 2008)

 

One on my favorite musicians... sometimes, less is best. The perfect mix, great vocals with extreme talented synth player.

 

Soft Cell – This Last Night...In Sodom (1984)

Soft Cell – Born To Lose

Soft Cell – Down In The Subway

Soft Cell – The Best Way To Kill

 

the best

 

R.I.P.

Musically he was at the top of his game whatever he turned his hand to.

 

I remember loved Daves solo album a lot, time to re-listen it. Rest in peace Dave
there was a brilliant comment on youtube:

 

The fourth album "Cruelty Without Beauty" was released in 2002