'Tainted Love' hitmaker Dave Ball (66) of Soft Cell dies

David 'Dave' Ball, the instrumentalist in the synth-pop duo Soft Cell, best known for their worldwide 1981 hit cover of Gloria Jones’ 'Tainted Love', has died at the age of 66.

Ball was also an English producer, co-founder of The Grid, and collaborated with artists and producers, including Ingo Vauk and Chris Braide. 

Ball passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in London on Wednesday, 22 October, weeks after performing with Soft Cell at England’s Rewind Festival.