Soft Cell and Marc Almond

Soft Cell, an English synth-pop duo formed in the late '70s, gained fame with their hit "Tainted Love." Marc Almond and Dave Ball, initially art students, pioneered the new wave style, reaching chart success with albums like "Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret." They scored several UK hits and collaborated with acts like The The and Gene Pitney. Despite disbanding in the mid-'80s, they reunited in the 2000s, producing albums like "Cruelty Without Beauty" and the 2022 release "Happiness Not Included," showcasing their enduring impact on electronic music.

Marc Almond, born in Southport, gained fame as part of synth pop duo Soft Cell. Known for his theatrical style, he pursued a solo career after the band's 1984 split. Almond's work spans genres like cabaret, pop, chanson, and Russian folk. He released seminal albums with the Willing Sinners and collaborated with artists like Jarvis Cocker, Jools Holland, and Gene Pitney. Notable albums include "The Stars We Are" and "Absinthe." He covered Jacques Brel extensively and released a ten-disc retrospective, "Trials of Eyeliner." Almond was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2017 and remains an influential figure.