Half of electronic music duo responsible for some of the biggest hits of the 1980s has died.

Dave Ball, a founding member of the English synth-pop duo Soft Cell, died peacefully in his sleep in London on Oct. 22, according to the band’s official website . He was 66.

Ball’s death comes weeks after he performed in a wheelchair when Soft Cell headlined the Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames in front of more than 20,000 fans.

Singer Marc Almond, Ball’s musical collaborator of 46 years and Soft Cell bandmate, wrote a moving tribute to his friend and collaborator.

“It is hard to write this, let alone process it, as Dave was in such a great place emotionally,” it said in part. “He was focused and so happy with the new album that we literally completed only a few days ago.”

“It’s so sad as

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