Midnight Oil's beating heart, Rob Hirst, dead at 70 after pancreatic cancer battle

Rob Hirst, the founding drummer and rhythmic backbone of legendary Australian rock band Midnight Oil, has died at the age of 70 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

The band confirmed Hirst’s passing in a heartbreaking social media statement shared Tuesday, Jan. 20, announcing the loss of one of Australia’s most influential rock musicians.

The Australian rock band Midnight Oil has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and rose to global fame with their 1987 breakthrough album Diesel and Dust. Long regarded as one of Australia’s most beloved bands, they helped define a generation of politically charged rock.

But now, a vital and irreplaceable part of the band has passed away. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 2023, drummer Rob Hirst has now passed away. Midnight Oil shared the news on Instagram alongside a photo of the band, expressing their grief and gratitude for the music they created together.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 07: Singer Rob Hirst of Ghostrighters and also Midnight Oil performs on stage at the Australian leg of the Live Earth series of concerts, at Aussie Stadium, Moore Park on July 7, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Launched by former US Vice President Al Gore to combat Global Warming, the concert is one of a series taking place over a 24-hour period on July 7 across seven continents. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)

“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 statement 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 said.

It continued: “‘A glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness.’ He died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. The family asks that anyone wanting to honour Rob donate to Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia or Support Act.”

A founding force in Australian rock

Hirst co-founded Midnight Oil in Sydney in 1972, helping shape a band that would go on to become one of Australia’s most politically outspoken and globally recognized rock acts.

The group released its self-titled debut album in 1978 and later earned 11 ARIA Awards. In 2006, Midnight Oil was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, cementing its legacy in Australian music history.

Beyond his role behind the drum kit, Hirst was also a key creative contributor, co-writing many of the band’s most iconic songs, including “Beds Are Burning,” “The Dead Heart,” “Blue Sky Mine,” “Forgotten Years,” and “King of the Mountain.”4

Final years

Midnight Oil went on hiatus in 2002 before reuniting in 2016 to record new music. The band released two additional albums, including their final record, Resist, in 2022.

Musician Rob Hirst of “Midnight Oil” arrives for the Rolling Stone Magazine Revival Party at the Hordern Pavillion on October 1, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)

That release was followed by a farewell tour that marked the end of their decades-long run. Hirst continued making music outside the band as well, launching a solo career in 2005.

In 2020, Hirst released a collaborative album with his daughter Jay O’Shea, with whom he had only reconnected a few years earlier. At the time, O’Shea shared the deeply personal story behind the project on Instagram.

“For those who don’t know, I was adopted as a baby and 10 years ago found my birth parents.The story of how we all came together sounds like bad fiction writing as it’s quite unbelievable,” she wrote.

“We really made this music as a way of getting to know each other better and after much laughing, drinking some good wines and eating too much cheese, these songs were born,” she added.

Started counted his days

“There were no parameters, guidelines or pressures of what a reunited Father/Daughter collaboration should sound like. Each song is a snapshot. Each song has its own space and story.”

Hirst final project, an solo EP titled A Hundred Years or More, was released last November.

”Now that I’ve started counting back in life rather than counting forward, the days are even more precious,” Hirst said in one of his final interviews and added:

“I still wake in the night with lyrics and melodies. Musical insomnia. If you’re a songwriter, blessed or cursed, it’s always there. Maybe there’s a couple more songs. You never say never.”

Sadly, there would be no more songs, as the beloved musician passed away in January 2026 at the age of 70. Following the announcement of his death, his daughter O’Shea shared a brief but emotional tribute to her father.

“There are no words right now to describe the feeling of losing this great friend and Father. We are all just…. heartbroken. Love you so much Dad, J💙,” she wrote.