Who is Gini Hewes? The Life and Legacy of Dave Ball’s Ex-Wife and Music Collaborator

Following the passing of Dave Ball, the legendary musician and one-half of synth-pop duo Soft Cell, many fans have turned their attention to his ex-wife, Gini Hewes — a talented violinist, composer, and singer who made her own mark in the music world.

Dave Ball, whose full name was David James Ball, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his London home after a long illness. He was 66. His bandmate, Marc Almond, described him as a “wonderfully brilliant musical genius.”

Who is Gini Hewes?

Gini Hewes, also known by her full name Virginia Ball (Hewes), was a respected British musician known for her versatility across genres. She studied at the Royal College of Music and later became part of several experimental and punk-classical projects.

She co-founded the punk-classical ensemble Humoresque with Anne Stephenson, and later the trio Brilliant Strings with Anne Stephenson and Sally Herbert — both well-known session musicians.

Gini worked as a violinist and vocalist, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the 1980s and 1990s music scene, including Siouxsie and the Banshees, Nick Cave, Bernard Butler, Virgin Prunes, Mike Hedges, and The Manic Street Preachers.

Marriage and Musical Partnership with Dave Ball

Gini Hewes and Dave Ball shared both a personal and professional relationship. The two were married and collaborated on several music projects during the early 1980s.

Together, they formed the band Other People along with Andy Astle, releasing their single Have a Nice Day. Before that, Gini toured with Soft Cell as a backing vocalist, supporting the band’s live performances.

The couple also worked on the music for the stage adaptation of Suddenly Last Summer and later joined the experimental collective Psychic TV, founded by Genesis P-Orridge. Gini contributed to the soundtrack of The Wanderer, one of Psychic TV’s noted projects.

Between 1982 and 1983, Gini collaborated with Marc Almond on his side project Marc and the Mambas and appeared on the hit track Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart with Gene Pitney.

Dave Ball’s Career and Legacy

Born on May 3, 1959, in Chester, Dave Ball rose to fame as the producer and keyboardist of Soft Cell, alongside Marc Almond. The duo was best known for the global hit Tainted Love and a string of successful albums, including The Art of Falling Apart and Cruelty Without Beauty.

Outside Soft Cell, Ball worked on solo and collaborative projects, including The Grid, famous for their track Swamp Thing. He also produced and collaborated with David Bowie, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, and Erasure.

Before his death, Ball had completed work on Soft Cell’s new studio album, Daceteria, set for release in Spring 2026, with another EP Martin scheduled for October 31, 2025.