On January 20, 2026, Rob Hirst, the iconic drummer and co-founder of the Australian rock band Midnight Oil, passed away at 70 years old after a long fight with pancreatic cancer.
The band confirmed the death of Hirst via a post on their social media platforms, stating that he passed away peacefully in the presence of family members.
In 2023, Hirst was diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer. He made this information public in April of 2025, discussing the extensive medical treatments he had been undergoing since his diagnosis.
The remaining members of Midnight Oil—Peter Garrett, Jim Moginie, and Martin Rotsey—released a separate message expressing their sorrow over Hirst’s death. Hirst’s family requested that individuals wishing to pay tribute consider making donations to pancreatic cancer research organizations.
Australian music legend Jimmy Barnes paid tribute to Hirst, calling him “the engine driving one of the greatest live bands of all time.” Barnes added, “You are irreplaceable, one of a kind, and myself, my family, and all the rest of this great country will miss you so much.”
Hirst, along with Jim Moginie and Andrew James, started Farm in 1972. Peter Garrett joined the band in 1975, prompting a name change to Midnight Oil in 1976. Martin Rotsey joined a year later. The band, based in Sydney, Australia, was renowned for its politically-driven rock music and socially aware lyrics, with Hirst’s dynamic drumming providing the rhythm.
As well as being the band’s drummer, Hirst co-authored some of Midnight Oil’s most iconic songs, such as “Beds Are Burning,” “The Dead Heart,” “The Power and the Passion,” “Forgotten Years,” and “King of the Mountain.” His role in the band was not limited to percussion; he also contributed lyrics, melodies, and backing vocals that became quintessential to Midnight Oil’s unique sound.
Hirst, born in Camden, New South Wales, in 1955, received his first drum set at the age of 12, following a surgery to remove a benign tumor from his right leg. This early introduction to drumming set the stage for his nearly 50-year-long music career.
Throughout their career, Midnight Oil released 13 studio albums and scored six ARIA No. 1 albums in Australia. The band’s commercial success was a testament to their ability to fuse forceful rock music with messages about environmental protection, Indigenous rights, and social justice—themes that resonated with both Australian and international audiences.
The band took a break in 2002 when lead singer Peter Garrett left to pursue a career in politics. They started performing again in 2017 before finally disbanding in 2022, marking the end of their lengthy tenure as one of Australia’s most influential rock bands. The band was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006, recognizing their significant impact on Australian music and culture.
Midnight Oil suffered another significant loss in November 2020 when their bassist, Bones Hillman, passed away. With Hirst’s passing, Garrett, Moginie, and Rotsey remain as the three surviving members of the band’s most recognized lineup.
In addition to Midnight Oil, Hirst’s musical contributions included performances with several other bands in his career, such as Ghostwriters, Backsliders, and The Break, the last of which included his Midnight Oil bandmates, Moginie and Rotsey, showcasing the lasting creative relationships formed during his time with the group.
Hirst also collaborated with his daughter Jay O’Shea, a fellow musician, on a joint album, symbolizing both a personal achievement and an artistic partnership between father and daughter.
By publicly discussing his diagnosis, Hirst helped raise awareness about the importance of early detection of pancreatic cancer.
Despite battling a serious illness, Hirst stayed involved with music and continued creating. His capability to sustain artistic output while dealing with a severe disease reflected his commitment to his craft—a characteristic that defined his entire career.
In late 2025, Hirst released his final EP titled “A Hundred Years or More,” recorded with his longtime songwriting partner Jim Moginie and drummer Hamish Stuart. The release demonstrated his continued creative output even as his illness progressed.
Survived by his wife, Leslie Holland, and his daughters, including musician Jay O’Shea, Hirst’s legacy includes his recorded work with Midnight Oil and other projects, as well as his influence on subsequent generations of Australian musicians.
The significance of Hirst’s work with Midnight Oil is evident in both their commercial success and cultural impact. The band’s music, while achieving mainstream popularity, served as a soundtrack for social movements in Australia, demonstrating the potential of rock music to both entertain and inspire thought.