Former David Bowie and Hawkwind violinist Simon House has died aged 76.
House’s daughter Holly confirmed that her father died on Sunday 25 May. No cause of death has been given at this time.
Born in Nottingham, England, Simon House was a composer, and classically trained violinist and keyboard player. He played for numerous bands and musicians, his first being rock band High Tide. Initially, he joined the band as a bassist, but Tony Hill, the band’s founder, suggested he play the violin instead.
House also played in Third Ear Band, an instrumental band that worked on soundtracks for films, contributing to the soundtrack of Polanski’s 1971 adaptation of ‘Macbeth’.
On 29 August 1969 – House’s 21st birthday, Hawkwind gatecrashed a High Tide gig at the All Saints Church Hall, likely beginning their association. House would join Hawkwind, one of the earliest space-rock bands, in 1973. Simon House brought a more classical flair to Hawkwind’s discography, writing the title track for their 1974 album ‘Hall Of The Mountain Grill’. House and the other Hawkwind members would often work closely with science fiction author Michael Moorcock, contributing to his concept album ‘New Worlds Fair.’ He left Hawkwind in 1978 in favour of Bowie’s live band.
David Bowie had taken note of House’s talent during his time with High Tide. House would play with Bowie on his ‘Isolar II’ world tour, and provided violin, mandolin and backing vocals on his 1979 album ‘Lodger’.
House worked as a session musician through the ’80s, featuring on Japan’s fifth album ‘Tin Drum’ and Thomas Dolby’s hit single ‘She Blinded Me With Science’. He rejoined Hawkwind in 1989, and left and rejoined several times between then and 2007.
Producer Brian Perera, whose label Cleopatra Records released some of House’s later projects, shared this statement on Instagram:
“It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our dear friend and brilliant collaborator. Simon wasn’t just a musician — he was a sonic architect who helped shape the sound of a generation. He shared the stage with legends: David Bowie, Lemmy-era Hawkwind, and Nik Turner, always leaving his unmistakable mark.
“From the art-rock brilliance of Bowie’s ‘Boys Keep Swinging’ era to the boundary-pushing tours with Nik and Cleopatra in the ’90s, Simon’s electrifying violin and cosmic keyboard work lifted every track, every show, every moment. His vision brought depth, texture, and soul — he simply made everything better. We miss you deeply, Simon. Rest easy, my friend. Your sound lives on.”
