Why has the global music community stopped to mourn one man?: Because Rob Hirst wasn’t just the drummer of Midnight Oil — he was the heartbeat of one of Australia’s most powerful and politically fearless bands.
Legendary Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst has died at the age of 70, following an almost three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. His passing has sent shockwaves through Australia and the international music scene, with tributes pouring in from fans, fellow musicians and cultural leaders.
In a statement shared on Midnight Oil’s official social media channels, his bandmates confirmed he died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
“After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain — ‘a glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness’,” the band wrote.
Hirst is survived by his wife Lesley Holland and his daughters Gabriella, Lex and Jay, whom he often described as his greatest pride. The family has asked that those wishing to honour his memory consider donating to Pankind Australia or Support Act, organisations close to his heart.
Who Was Rob Hirst Before He Became a Rock Icon?
Born on September 3, 1955, Rob Hirst grew up in Camden, Sydney’s outer west, before his family later moved to the northern beaches — a place that would shape both his lifestyle and his deep connection to nature.
Music came early. After experimenting in high-school bands, Hirst co-founded a group called Farm in 1972 alongside his close friend Jim Moginie. That band would soon evolve into Midnight Oil, joined by frontman Peter Garrett and guitarist Martin Rotsey — a lineup that would remain largely unchanged for the next five decades.
How Midnight Oil Became One of Australia’s Most Fearless Bands
In the brutal pub-rock era of the 1970s and 80s, Midnight Oil earned a reputation as one of the most explosive live acts in the country.
At the centre of it all was Hirst — a drummer known for his relentless power, precision, and unmistakable energy. Whether behind the drum kit or famously pounding a steel water tank during The Power and the Passion, his performances were raw, physical and unforgettable.
But Midnight Oil were never just loud. They were political, activist, and unapologetically outspoken — calling out governments, corporations, and injustice, while becoming passionate advocates for Indigenous Australian rights and environmental protection.
Why Rob Hirst’s Voice Mattered — Even Beyond the Drums
Though he often joked that he wasn’t a great singer, Hirst’s distinctive backing vocals became a defining part of the band’s sound. He also took lead vocals on fan favourites like “Kosciusko”, further proving his versatility.
Songwriting was another major part of his legacy. Alongside Moginie — and later Garrett — Hirst helped shape the lyrical backbone of Midnight Oil’s most enduring work.
How He Kept Creating, Even as His Health Failed
Diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer in April 2023, Hirst faced his illness quietly and with remarkable grace. The diagnosis came just six months after Midnight Oil played their final concert at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion in October 2022.
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Yet he never stopped making music.
In November last year, Hirst released what would become his final project — a deeply personal EP titled A Hundred Years or More, created with Jim Moginie and fellow drummer Hamish Stuart.
Reflecting on his long career, Hirst said he felt “lucky” — not just for success, but for timing.
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“We landed in the late 70s and early 80s when people were tribally loyal to the bands they loved,” he said.
“God, how lucky were we? We might be legends — but we’ve been very lucky legends.”
Why the Ocean and Family Meant Everything to Him
Away from the stage, Hirst’s greatest love was the Australian ocean and bush. A daily swimmer at a small dog-friendly beach near his Manly home, he believed salt water was medicine for the soul.
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“Swimming in salt water is not to be underestimated,” he said. “It’s the best tonic.”
Family was equally central to his life. Hirst proudly collaborated musically with all three daughters. Gabriella and Lex appeared on his final EP, while he released The Lost and the Found with daughter Jay O’Shea in 2020 — a particularly meaningful project after the pair reunited years after her adoption as a baby.
Why Rob Hirst’s Legacy Will Never Fade
Rob Hirst wasn’t just a musician. He was an activist, a collaborator, a father, an environmentalist and a symbol of what Australian music could stand for.
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His rhythm powered Midnight Oil — but his values powered something even bigger.
And that is why his loss feels so deeply personal to so many.