Rock Legend Rob Hirst, Midnight Oil’s Founding Drummer, Passes Away at 70

By Zoe Papadakis | Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Rob Hirst, the drummer and founding member of the Australian rock band Midnight Oil, has died at age 70 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer in 2023, Hirst passed away peacefully after nearly three years of treatment. In a social media statement, Midnight Oil described his death: “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 band also urged fans to honor Hirst’s legacy by donating to Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia, or Support Act.

A key creative force behind Midnight Oil’s iconic sound, Hirst co-wrote numerous hit songs including “Beds Are Burning,” “The Dead Heart,” and “King of the Mountain.” Born in New South Wales in 1955, he received his first drum kit at age 12 while recovering from surgery for a benign tumor in his right leg.

Hirst co-founded Midnight Oil in 1972 with guitarist Jim Moginie. The band adopted its current name in 1976 after adding vocalist Peter Garrett, who joined following a classified ad Hirst placed in the Sydney Morning Herald. The group released 13 studio albums over nearly five decades before entering an extended hiatus in 2002.

Beyond Midnight Oil, Hirst was involved in multiple musical projects, including the Ghostwriters and the Break. In 2025, he publicly discussed his illness and support for voluntary assisted dying in New South Wales, stating: “Why should you have to die in terrible, drawn-out pain? When you’ve had this amazing life — a life like I’ve had — why should end-of-life be so horrific when there’s an alternative?”

Hirst is survived by his wife, Leslie Holland, and daughters Alexandra and Gabriella Hirst. His eldest daughter, Jay O’Shea, was given up for adoption at birth but reunited with him in 2010.