Marc Almond pays tribute after death of Soft Cell's Dave Ball

Dave Ball, who as one half of Soft Cell brought dark, cutting-edge synth-pop to the masses, has died aged 66.

- Ben Beaumont-Thomas

Representatives for the musician said he had “passed away peacefully in his sleep at his London home on Wednesday”. No cause of death was given. His partner in Soft Cell, Marc Almond, paid tribute, writing: “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”.

Born in Chester in 1959, he was adopted and raised in Blackpool alongside an adopted sister, Susan. The resort town rubbed off on Ball, who cited its “showbizzy” side as an influence on his music career, as well as his father’s engineering background getting him interested in electronics. He cited hearing Kraftwerk’s Autobahn in 1975 as a “turning point” in his life.