Rob Hirst: Midnight Oil’s Legendary Drummer Dies at 70 After Cancer Battle

Australian Music Icon Passes Away

Rob Hirst, the drummer and one of the founders of Midnight Oil, passed away on January 20, 2026, at the age of 70. He died peacefully after fighting pancreatic cancer for three years, surrounded by family and friends. The news has sent shockwaves through the global music community, with tributes flowing from musicians, political leaders, and fans worldwide who recognised his profound impact on rock music and social activism.

The Beating Heart of Midnight Oil

Born September 3, 1955 in Camden, New South Wales, Hirst grew up with a passion for music that would define his life and career. In 1972, he co-founded the band that would become Midnight Oil alongside guitarist Jim Moginie; frontman Peter Garrett joined soon after. He is credited on some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Beds Are Burning,” “The Dead Heart,” “Blue Sky Mine,” and “The Power and the Passion.” His explosive drumming style and songwriting contributions helped shape the band’s distinctive sound that challenged audiences whilst addressing Indigenous rights and environmental issues.

Tributes From Across the Nation

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was spotted at Midnight Oil’s final farewell gig in Sydney in 2022, said Hirst was the “beating heart” of the band. Brisbane band Powderfinger described Hirst as an “explosive drumming machine”, with Midnight Oil a “huge inspiration” in their formative years. Fellow musicians from INXS, Hoodoo Gurus, and Jimmy Barnes joined in celebrating his legacy, recognising not only his technical brilliance but his role in shaping Australian rock music’s social conscience.

A Legacy Beyond the Drums

Beyond Midnight Oil, Hirst also contributed his talents to other bands and projects including Ghostwriters, Backsliders, the Angry Tradesmen, and the Break. In interviews during his illness, Hirst spoke openly about his experience with cancer and was an advocate for awareness around pancreatic cancer and dignified end-of-life options. Hirst is survived by his wife, Leslie Holland, and their daughters Alexandra and Gabriella, as well as his eldest daughter Jay O’Shea, with whom he reunited in 2010 after many years apart. His family has requested memorial donations be made to pancreatic cancer research and music industry support charities, ensuring his advocacy continues beyond his passing.