Simon House always channeled something cosmic with his playing. From psychedelic violin solos to rich, textural synth layers, he left his mark on some of the most adventurous rock ever made. Whether backing up Bowie or bending time with Hawkwind, Simon made sound feel like stardust. His passing on May 25, 2025, at the age of 76, leaves a void in the universe — but his music remains as timeless as ever.
Here are ten unforgettable collaborations that show the range and brilliance of Simon House:
1. Hawkwind – ‘Warrior on the Edge of Time’ (1975)
Simon’s violin became the soul of Hawkwind’s space-rock explorations. On this album, he brought elegance and chaos in equal measure, pushing the band into new sonic galaxies alongside Lemmy and Nik Turner.
2. David Bowie – ‘Stage’ (1978) & ‘Lodger’ (1979)
Joining Bowie’s Isolar II tour and recording Stage live, House added psychedelic swirl and moody keys to Bowie’s late-’70s experimentation. On Lodger, his work on “Boys Keep Swinging” made art-rock unforgettable.
3. High Tide – ‘Sea Shanties’ (1969)
This early psych-prog project was where Simon swapped bass for violin and began bending genres. His electrified violin lines were both feral and classical, setting the tone for the rest of his career.
4. Michael Moorcock & The Deep Fix – ‘New Worlds Fair’ (1975)
Bridging music and literature, Simon joined this sci-fi rock project by famed author Moorcock. His contributions brought a haunting, cinematic depth to a record steeped in imagination.
5. Thomas Dolby – “She Blinded Me With Science” (1982)
Even in a new wave synthpop hit, House found a way to leave his mark. His background textures elevated Dolby’s quirky style with classically-trained finesse.
6. Robert Calvert – ‘Lucky Leif and the Longships’ (1975)
In this Viking-themed concept album, House provided the dramatic sweep. His playing gave mythological flair to Calvert’s eccentric storytelling, fusing theatre and rock.
7. Japan – ‘Tin Drum’ (1981)
Simon’s work with David Sylvian’s band Japan brought warmth and mystery to their minimalist aesthetic. His textures helped define the band’s sophisticated, Far Eastern-influenced sound.
8. Mike Oldfield – “Crises” (1983, deluxe edition)
House added his signature to Oldfield’s sprawling, layered sonic universe. Their styles meshed perfectly — both keen on mixing the experimental with the melodic.
9. Nik Turner – ‘Space Gypsy’ (2013)
Reuniting with a fellow Hawkwind alumnus, House added lush keys and cosmic ambience to Turner’s later solo work. Even in his later years, Simon never lost his taste for the interstellar.
10. Judy Dyble – ‘Enchanted Garden’ (2004)
With the former Fairport Convention singer, Simon traded space rock for pastoral beauty. His gentle, expressive violin wove seamlessly into folk textures, showing his depth as a collaborator.