Former Hawkwind and David Bowie violinist Simon House has died, aged 76

Simon House, former violinist and keyboardist for Hawkwind and David Bowie’s live band has died at the age of 76. The news was announced on Sunday May 25 by his daughter Holly.

House was born in Nottingham on August 29, 1948, and was a classically trained violinist who was known for blending careful technique with boundary-pushing interpretations.

After moving to London in the 60s, he joined his first band High Tide in the countercultural scenes of Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove.

Although he was the bassist of the group, High Tide founder Tony Hill suggested he experiment with the violin instead. He would go on to record two albums with them until their dissolution.

House joined Hawkwind at the end of 1973, where he was hired to replace their synth player at the time, Del Dettmar. He would gain his first writing credit on the 1974 album Hall Of The Mountain Grill’s title track,

House played with Hawkwind until 1978, where he would join David Bowie’s live band. He would tour with the legend on his Isolar II world tour from March 1978, and provided mandolin, violin and backing vocals on Bowie’s 1979 record Lodger.

House then rejoined Hawkwind in 1989, leaving again in 1991 and rejoining for two more periods: 2000-2002 and 2005-2007.

A statement was issued by Brian Perera, whose label Cleopatra Records would release several of House’s later recordings.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our dear friend and brilliant collaborator,” he wrote on the Cleopatra Records account. “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.

 

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“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.”

Hawkwind also paid tribute to its former band member on social media: ’We are very sorry to hear of the passing of our old friend and bandmate Simon House. An outstanding musician, we share treasured memories… Fly free old friend.’