Midnight Oil take a bow at Spark Arena on 3 September during their farewell tour (Drummer Rob Hirst second from left) Photo: RNZ / Nik Dirga
Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst has died, aged 70.
Hirst "died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones", according to a statement posted on Midnight Oil's social media.
"After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain - 'a glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness'," the statement read.
"The family asks that anyone wanting to honour Rob donate to Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia or Support Act."
Hirst was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023.
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_Aus or @SupportAct. pic.twitter.com/Yn3Em8Qd5n
— Midnight Oil (@midnightoilband) January 20, 2026
The band's statement shared via their management to the ABC said: "We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob. For now there are no words but there will always be songs."
Speaking with ABC Radio National last year, Hirst said he still performed and wrote but could not play the high-energy shows he did with Midnight Oil for 45 years.
"I've just kind of been through the litany of things that can keep one alive," Hirst told The Radio National Hour.
"I've had two major operations. I've had untold chemo. I've had radiotherapy. I got sepsis at one point."
Rob Hirst has had a massive impact on Australian culture. He was the engine driving one of the greatest live bands of all time. RIP, dear Rob. You are irreplaceable, one of a kind, and myself, my family, and all the rest of this great country will miss you so much. pic.twitter.com/zZAXWwDTWA
— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) January 20, 2026
As well as the band's drummer, Hirst was a songwriter on many Midnight Oil hits.
He has writing credits on songs including Beds Are Burning, Blue Sky Mine and Read About It.
A founding member of Midnight Oil, Hirst was born in Camden in Sydney's south-west.
Midnight Oil Photo: supplied
'Tears to my eyes'
In one of his last interviews in November, Hirst said since he became ill he had been surrounded by care and support.
"One of the silver linings I think with battles people face ... is that maybe you don't really appreciate the love, friendship, attention, care that comes back at you when something serious happens to you," he told ABC Radio Sydney Mornings presenter Hamish Macdonald.
Huge condolences to the family and the Midnight Oil bandmates of the great Rob Hirst. Rob was an incredible drummer and songwriter - and a good friend to all of us in Cold Chisel. Vale Rob. pic.twitter.com/g6GRql6fET
— Cold Chisel (@coldchisel) January 20, 2026
"That's become manifest over the last couple of years and it has brought tears to my eyes many times.
"Essentially, I believe in the goodness of people and their hearts and their motivations and it's written in the song First Do No Harm."
-ABC
