Midnight Oil Drummer Rob Hirst Dies, Aged 70
Image: Facebook
Legendary Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst has died aged 70 after a long battle with cancer.
A highly revered and well respected Australian musician, Rob Hirst was the rhythmic backbone of Midnight Oil with a unique and inimitable drumming style.
He had been battling advanced pancreatic cancer and reportedly died peacefully “surrounded by loved ones” according to a Facebook post from the band.
“After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain – ‘a glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness’,” frontman Peter Garrett said.
“We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob. For now, there are no words, but there will always be songs.”
Rob’s passing has elicited powerful tributes from his colleagues, friends, and loved ones, remembering him as a natural showman and acknowledging his immense impact on Australian music.
Born in Camden, Sydney in 1955, Rob Hirst played in a number of local bands before co-founding Midnight Oil with guitarist Jim Moginie in 1972. Recruiting Peter Garret on vocals, the band released their self-titled debut album in 1978, quickly acquiring a cult following in Australia.
International success soon followed with subsequent album releases throughout the ‘80s, featuring iconic songs like ‘Power and the Passion’, ‘US Forces’, ‘Bed Are Burning’ and ‘Blue Sky Mine’.
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Midnight Oil established a firm reputation in the brutal arena of Aussie pub rock during the ‘70s and ‘80s, distinguishing themselves with their passionate musical activism.
They became one of Australia’s most outspoken bands, using their music to bring attention to political and environmental issues such as Aboriginal rights, nuclear disarmament, uranium mining, and social justice.
Their live performances became legendary for the blistering energy of Hirst’s drumming – often involving non-traditional percussion – and Garrett’s exuberant, highly animated stage antics.
In light of his incredible success, Rob Hirst always considered himself lucky to have enjoyed a prolific musical career for more than half a century. Outside of Midnight Oil, Rob maintained his creative output with several side projects, including Backsliders and Ghostwriters.
Rob also enjoyed a loving family life with wife Leslie Holland and three daughters, Jay, Lexi, and Ella. He collaborated with all three of his daughters in various musical projects, his final release being the ‘A Hundred Years or More’ EP with Jim Moginie and Hamish Stuart last year.
