Rob Hirst, the iconic drummer and founding member of Australian rock legends Midnight Oil, has died at the age of 70 following a nearly three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
His band shared the sad news on Tuesday, January 20.
“After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain – ‘a glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness’,” the statement read.
Hirst, known for his fierce rhythms and songwriting contributions to some of the band’s most beloved tracks, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a legacy that spanned nearly five decades of music.
Hirst’s death marked the end of a remarkable career defined by passion, activism and a commitment to artistic integrity.
Diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer in 2023, he fought the illness with courage, enduring multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy while remaining involved in music and advocacy as long as he could, according to The Guardian.
The band encouraged those who wish to honor his memory to support charities such as Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia or Support Act.
Hirst’s Career & Legacy
Born in 1955 in New South Wales, Hirst was a co-founder of Midnight Oil when the group formed in 1976 alongside school friends and future bandmates, including lead singer Peter Garrett and guitarist Jim Moginie.
Over the decades, Midnight Oil became one of Australia’s most influential rock acts, known for high-energy performances and socially conscious songwriting.
Hirst wasn’t just a drummer; he was a songwriter on many of Midnight Oil’s defining songs, including “Beds Are Burning,” “The Dead Heart,” “Short Memory” and “The Power and the Passion” — tracks that combined political fire with musical innovation and helped elevate the band to global prominence.
Beyond Midnight Oil, Hirst explored a range of musical projects, including bands like Ghostwriters, Backsliders, The Angry Tradesmen and The Break.
He is survived by his wife, Leslie Holland, and his three daughters — Alexandra, Gabriella and Jay O’Shea — the latter a musician herself and someone Hirst reunited with later in life after years apart.
Tributes Pour In
Messages of admiration and grief poured in from fans, as news of his passing spread, acknowledging not just his talent, but his fierce creativity and enduring spirit.
“R.I.P. Legend, you gave so many people so much love, joy, excitement and pleasure. I will be forever grateful,” one user wrote.
Another added, “An incredible drummer, a sweet as everything and a heartthrob.”
Many commented on how talented of a drummer Hirst was.
