Simon House
Simon House is a British violinist and keyboardist best known for his work with Hawkwind and for his collaboration with David Bowie during Bowie’s late-1970s Berlin-era tours.
His use of electric violin and synthesizers added an otherworldly, atmospheric dimension to Bowie’s live sound, aligning closely with the aesthetic of the Low and “Heroes” period.
- Born: 1948, England
- Role: Violinist, keyboardist
- Active with Bowie: 1978
- Bowie connection: Low / “Heroes” world tour (Isolar II)
From Hawkwind to Bowie
Simon House gained prominence in the early 1970s as a member of the space-rock band Hawkwind, where his electric violin became a defining element of the group’s sound.
His background in psychedelic and experimental music made him a natural fit for artists seeking to expand rock beyond conventional structures.
The Berlin-era aesthetic
By the late 1970s, David Bowie had shifted toward a colder, more atmospheric musical language influenced by European electronic music and modernist composition.
This aesthetic required musicians capable of creating texture and mood rather than traditional rock virtuosity.
The Isolar II – 1978 World Tour
Simon House joined Bowie’s touring band for the 1978 world tour, often referred to as the Low / “Heroes” tour.
On stage, House contributed electric violin lines and synthesizer parts that reinforced the haunting, cinematic quality of Bowie’s Berlin-era material.
Shared songs and performances
- Isolar II – The 1978 World Tour — House performed as part of Bowie’s touring ensemble, supporting material from Low, “Heroes” and earlier albums.
- Stage (live context) — Although not always individually credited, House’s performances belong to the broader live documentation of Bowie’s 1978 tour era.
Electric violin as atmosphere
House’s electric violin functioned less as a solo instrument and more as a source of sustained tone and colour.
This approach blended seamlessly with synthesizers and guitar effects, expanding the sonic palette of Bowie’s live arrangements.
Contribution to Bowie’s live evolution
The inclusion of musicians like Simon House reflected Bowie’s determination to present his Berlin-era work with precision and conceptual unity on stage.
Rather than recreating studio recordings exactly, the band translated their spirit into a powerful, disciplined live experience.