MIDNIGHT oil drummer and songwriter Rob Hirst has died aged 70.
His death follows a two year battle with pancreatic cancer, which was first diagnosed in 2022.
Rob Hirst was a founding member of Midnight OilCredit: Getty
Rob Hirst of Midnight Oil performs in Melbourne in March 2009Credit: Getty
The musician was a founding member of the Australian rock band, formed in Sydney in 1972.
The band confirmed the news on social media, saying Hirst “died peacefully”.
In a moving tribute, they wrote: “After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain – 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_australia or @supportact.”
Midnight Oil released their self-titled debut album in 1978, gaining a cult following in their home country.
Hirst was best known for his furious drumming ability, but was also a co-writer for many of the bands hit tracks including Beds Are Burning, The Dead Heart and Short Memory.
In a statement to ABC, the band added: “We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob.
“For now, there are no words but there will always be songs.”
Midnight Oil released 13 studio albums over almost 50 years.
Hirst remained in the band until they took a prolonged hiatus in 2002, when front man Peter Garrett left to pursue a career in politics.
(L-R) Bones Hillman, Rob Hirst, Peter Garrett, Jim Moginie and Martin Rotsey of Midnight OilCredit: Getty
The band resumed playing in 2017.
Following their comeback, they released two further albums – The Makarrata Project in 2020 and Resist in 2022.
Speaking to The Australian last year, Hirst shared his cancer journey.
He recalled being diagnosed early, catching the tumour at stage three.
Months of chemotherapy followed before an unsuccessful attempt to remove the tumour with surgery.
He said: “I’ve had pretty much every treatment known to man… I’ve kind of had ‘the works’”.
Initially Hirst kept his diagnosis a secret, but decided to go public to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.
He told the publication he’d had to stop playing drums, because he “hadn’t go the breath power anymore”.
Hirst was also a member of the bands Ghostwriters, Backsliders, the Angry Tradesmen and The Break.
He is survived by his wife, Leslie Holland, their two daughters Alexandra and Gabriella.
Rob Hirst performs at the Orpheum Theatre in Minnesota in 1988Credit: Getty
Rob Hirst co-wrote many of Midnight Oil’s hit tracksCredit: Getty
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