Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst has died at 70

Sad news: Midnight Oil co-founder and drummer Rob Hirst has died following a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. The band wrote, “After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain – ‘a glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness’. He died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.” They added, “We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob. For now there are no words but there will always be songs. Love Always from Jim, Martin & Pete.”

Midnight Oil suggested those wanting to honor Rob donate to Painkind: Pancreatic Cancer in Australia and Support Act.

Rob was a teenager when the band formed in 1972, then known as Farm (Fucking All Right Mate). It wouldn’t be till six years later that Midnight Oil, transformed by punk rock, would release their self-titled debut. By the time of 1987’s worldwide breakthrough Diesel and Dust, Midnight Oil were one of the biggest bands in Australia. Hirst not only played drums — his powerhouse style was essential to the ‘Oils sound — but sang backup and co-wrote some of the band’s best-known songs, including “Beds Are Burning,” “The Dead Heart,” “Power and the Passion,” “Blue Sky Mine,” “Dreamworld,” “Kosciuszko,” and “Forgotten Years.”

Rest in peace, Rob.

Midnight Oil bassist Bones Hillman died in 2020 at age 62, and in 2022 the band played North America as part of their “final tour.”