Rob Hirst, the legendary drummer and founding member of the Australian rock band Midnight Oil, has passed away at the age of 70 after a nearly three-year struggle with pancreatic cancer. The band announced his death on their official Facebook page, stating that Hirst died peacefully, “surrounded by loved ones.” Their message highlighted his courageous fight against the illness, noting that he is now “free of pain” and referencing him as “a glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness.”
Tributes poured in from across the music community, with fellow Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes expressing his sorrow on social media. He described Hirst as having had a “massive impact” on Australian culture and referred to him as “the engine driving one of the greatest live bands of all time.” Barnes concluded his tribute with a heartfelt message: “RIP, dear Rob. You are irreplaceable, one of a kind, and myself, my family, and all the rest of this great country will miss you so much.”
Legacy of Musical Impact
Members of Cold Chisel, another prominent Australian rock band, also shared their condolences. They reflected on Hirst’s contributions, calling him “an incredible drummer and songwriter — and a good friend to all of us in Cold Chisel. Vale Rob.”
Hirst’s contributions to Midnight Oil extended beyond his role as drummer. He was a significant songwriter for the band, crafting many of their enduring hits such as “Beds Are Burning,” “The Dead Heart,” “Blue Sky Mine,” and “Power and the Passion.” Often, the spotlight shone brightly on the band’s charismatic frontman, Peter Garrett, yet Hirst’s songwriting prowess was fundamental to the group’s success.
In 2022, Midnight Oil concluded their career with a farewell performance at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, a show that lasted almost four hours. Reflecting on the event, Hirst described the setlist as reminiscent of “the Dead Sea scrolls.” Just six months after this monumental farewell, he received his cancer diagnosis, which initially had a grim prognosis of six months to live.
Courageous Battle and Continued Creativity
Despite the dire prediction, Hirst proved resilient. He celebrated his 70th birthday in 2022 and shared in an interview with the Australian Associated Press that he had surpassed expectations. “I’m two and a half years down the track since diagnosis,” he stated in November 2022. “I feel very fortunate that I’ve got to this point – and who knows, I might have a bit longer, which will be a bonus.”
In late 2025, Hirst released an EP titled A Hundred Years or More, collaborating with his longtime songwriting partner, guitarist Jim Moginie, and renowned drummer Hamish Stuart. He remained optimistic about his health, attributing his longevity to maintaining fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Hirst remarked, “I always thought that if I kept fit, had a pretty good diet, got enough sleep and didn’t get pulled out by my ankles from the Manzil Room too often, I would spend less time in hospital waiting rooms and more time enjoying life.”
Despite the challenges posed by his illness, Hirst maintained his passion for music, stating, “I don’t have much breath power, so I can’t play the big rock ‘n’ roll kit anymore but I can strum away and write songs and I’m lucky that I can still do that.” His legacy as a musician, songwriter, and friend will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the Australian music scene and beyond.
