Simon House – Violinist on Bowie’s 1978 Tour and Lodger Era
Photo: Unknown photographer / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia file page
Simon House was a British violinist and keyboardist best known for his work with Hawkwind and his collaboration with David Bowie during the late 1970s.
His electric violin and synthesizer work added a unique atmospheric layer to Bowie’s Berlin-era live performances, helping define the sound of the 1978 world tour.
- Born: August 29, 1948, Nottingham, England
- Died: May 25, 2025 (aged 76)
- Role: Violinist, keyboardist
- Bowie connection: Isolar II Tour (1978), Lodger (1979)
- Known for: Hawkwind, experimental sound design
Early life and musical beginnings
Born in Nottingham, Simon House began playing violin at the age of 11 and trained as a classical musician. After several years performing in orchestras, he moved into London’s underground music scene in the late 1960s.
He first gained attention with the proto-progressive band High Tide, where he electrified the violin and pushed it through effects, creating a powerful and unconventional sound.
Hawkwind and sonic innovation
House became a key member of Hawkwind in the mid-1970s, where his violin, Mellotron and synthesizer work transformed the band’s sound. Albums such as Warrior on the Edge of Time and Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music showcased his ability to blend classical influence with space rock and electronic experimentation.
His contribution added sophistication and atmosphere, making him one of the defining musicians of Hawkwind’s most creative period.
Joining David Bowie
In 1978, House left Hawkwind to join David Bowie’s live band for the Isolar II – The 1978 World Tour.
Dressed in white and standing almost motionless on stage, he became a striking visual presence while delivering haunting violin lines and synthesizer textures.
The Berlin-era live sound
Bowie’s Berlin-era material required musicians capable of creating mood, texture and space. House’s playing fit perfectly within this concept, particularly in performances of Warszawa, “Heroes” and other atmospheric compositions.
His electric violin acted as an extension of the synthesizer palette, blending seamlessly into the band’s layered sound.
Lodger and studio work
Following the tour, Simon House contributed to Bowie’s Lodger (1979) album, including work on the single Boys Keep Swinging.
His involvement helped carry the experimental Berlin sound into Bowie’s next creative phase.
Session work and later career
Throughout the 1980s, House became an in-demand session musician, working with artists such as Japan, Thomas Dolby and Mike Oldfield. He later rejoined Hawkwind multiple times and released several solo and collaborative albums.
Death and tributes
Simon House passed away on May 25, 2025, at the age of 76. He was widely praised as a musician who elevated every project he worked on.
Fellow musicians described him as both a “towering musical genius” and a humble collaborator, remembered for his creativity, warmth and dedication to his craft.
Legacy
Simon House remains one of the most distinctive instrumentalists of the 1970s, bridging classical technique, progressive rock and electronic experimentation.
His work with David Bowie stands as a crucial element of the Berlin-era live sound — subtle, atmospheric and deeply influential.