Midnight Oil co-founder Rob Hirst, drummer, passes away at age 70
Renowned Australian rock musician and Midnight Oil co-founder, Rob Hirst, has passed away at the age of 70. With his remarkable drumming skills and songwriting talent, Hirst made an indelible mark on the music industry.
On January 20, Midnight Oil announced Hirst’s death on social media, although the exact date and cause were not specified. Hirst had been battling pancreatic cancer since 2023 and publicly shared his diagnosis in April 2025. The band expressed their grief, stating that after a valiant fight, Hirst was now free from pain and passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
Apart from his drumming prowess, Hirst was instrumental in co-writing some of Midnight Oil’s most iconic songs. Hits like “Beds are Burning,” “Blue Sky Mine,” “Forgotten Years,” “Power and the Passion,” and “King of the Mountain” all bear the imprint of his creative genius. One of his compositions, “King of the Mountain,” was described as an anti-war anthem and likened to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.”
Born in 1955 in Camden, New South Wales, Hirst formed a musical trio with schoolmates Jim Moginie and Andrew James before recruiting lead singer Peter Garrett and guitarist Martin Rotsey, leading to the formation of Midnight Oil in 1976. Over the years, the band garnered significant acclaim, winning 11 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards and being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.
The album “Diesel and Dust,” released in 1987, embodied Midnight Oil’s politically charged message, featuring chart-toppers like “Beds are Burning” and “The Dead Heart,” both co-written by Hirst. The profound impact of their music extended beyond Australia, with hits like “Beds Are Burning” reaching No. 1 in multiple countries and earning recognition on global charts.
Despite a brief hiatus in 2002, the band regrouped in 2016 and continued to produce music, amassing six No. 1 ARIA albums. Moginie, in his memoir “The Silver River,” paid tribute to Hirst’s unique blend of humor, intelligence, and musical prowess, describing him as the “engine room” of Midnight Oil, both on and off stage.
Rob Hirst’s contributions to rock music are irreplaceable, leaving a lasting legacy that resonates with fans worldwide. His talent and passion for music will forever be remembered, ensuring that his spirit lives on in the timeless songs he helped create.