Hawkwind and David Bowie’s Sideman Simon House Passed Away At 76

Simon House, the talented keyboardist and violinist best known for his work with Hawkwind and David Bowie, has passed away at 76. His daughter confirmed the news, and Cleopatra Records, who worked with him on several releases, shared a heartfelt tribute.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our dear friend and brilliant collaborator,” the label posted. “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.”

They continued, “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.”

House’s Career From High Tide to Hawkwind

Simon House was born in Nottingham, England, and kicked off his music career in 1960s London with the band High Tide. Though he started as a bassist, he made the switch to violin—an instrument that became his trademark—thanks to encouragement from bandmates.

In 1973, House joined Hawkwind, replacing synth player Del Dettmar. He immediately made an impact, helping the band evolve their psychedelic space rock sound. His first album with the group was Hall of the Mountain Grill (1974), followed by several more during a period that overlapped with Lemmy Kilmister’s final years in the band. House stayed with Hawkwind until 1978, contributing to five studio albums in that era.

Playing with Legends and His Musical Legacy

After Hawkwind, House landed a gig with David Bowie for the 1978 Isolar II tour. His violin and keyboard work featured prominently on the live album Stage and Bowie’s 1979 studio album Lodger, especially the single “Boys Keep Swinging.”

He later became a go-to session player, working with Thomas Dolby, Mike Oldfield, and many of his Hawkwind bandmates like Robert Calvert and Nik Turner. House also released two solo albums and rejoined Hawkwind for additional stints in the late ’80s and early 2000s.

Simon House may be gone, but his sound will continue to echo through the music he helped shape.