Rob Hirst, the founding drummer and rhythmic cornerstone of iconic Australian rock band Midnight Oil, has died at the age of 70 after a prolonged fight with pancreatic cancer.
The band confirmed his passing in an emotional statement shared on social media on Tuesday, January 20, marking the loss of one of Australia’s most influential and respected musicians. Midnight Oil, who sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, rose to international prominence with their 1987 breakthrough album Diesel and Dust and became synonymous with politically driven rock music.
“ We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob,” the band wrote. “For now there are no words, but there will always be songs. Love always from Jim, Martin & Pete.”
In a separate message posted to Facebook, the band revealed that Hirst had been living with cancer for nearly three years. “After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain,” the statement read. “He died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.” The family asked fans wishing to honor his memory to donate to Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia, or Support Act.
Hirst co-founded Midnight Oil in Sydney in 1972, helping shape a band that would go on to define generations with its outspoken activism and distinctive sound. The group released its debut album in 1978, earned 11 ARIA Awards, and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Beyond his powerful drumming, Hirst was a vital creative force, co-writing many of Midnight Oil’s most enduring songs, including “Beds Are Burning,” “The Dead Heart,” “Blue Sky Mine,” “Forgotten Years,” and “King of the Mountain.”
After the band went on hiatus in 2002, Midnight Oil reunited in 2016, releasing two more albums, including their final record Resist in 2022, followed by a farewell tour. Hirst also pursued solo projects and collaborations, including a deeply personal album released in 2020 with his daughter Jay O’Shea, whom he had reconnected with later in life.
His final solo EP, A Hundred Years or More, was released in November 2025. Reflecting on life in one of his last interviews, Hirst said, “Now that I’ve started counting back rather than counting forward, the days are even more precious.”
Following the announcement of his death, O’Shea shared a heartfelt tribute: “There are no words right now to describe the feeling of losing this great friend and father. We are all just heartbroken.”
Rob Hirst leaves behind a towering legacy—one built on rhythm, resistance, and the belief that music could still move the world.
