The violinist died on 25 May 2025 aged 76
The death of British violinist, keyboardist and composer Simon House was announced on Sunday 25 May 2025, by his daughter, Holly.
House is best known for his work as violinist and keyboardist for the space rock band Hawkwind, as well as being a member of David Bowie’s live band.
House was born in Nottingham on 29 August 1948. A classically trained violinist, he moved to London in the 1960s and played in several bands, such as High Tide and Third Ear Band, which contributed to the film Macbeth by Roman Polanski.
He joined Hawkwind in 1973 as a live-band member for its North American tour and recording of the 1974 album Hall of the Mountain Grill. With other members of Hawkwind, he performed as a session musician for New Worlds Fair in 1975 by science fiction author Michael Moorcock, and contributed to solo projects by former Hawkwind members Robert Calvert and Nik Turner.
He left Hawkwind in 1978 to join David Bowie’s band, performing as a violinist in Bowie’s Isolar II world tour and featured in the album Lodger.
House returned to Hawkwind in 1989 for a two-year stint and continued to collaborate with the group between 2001 and 2003.
Hawkwind 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.’
Cleopatra Records described House as ’a sonic architect who helped shape the sound of generation.’
’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.’
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