Midnight Oil’s beating heart, Rob Hirst, dead at 70 after pancreatic cancer battle

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A founding force in Australian rock

Hirst co-founded Midnight Oil in Sydney in 1972, helping shape a band that would go on to become one of Australia’s most politically outspoken and globally recognized rock acts.

The group released its self-titled debut album in 1978 and later earned 11 ARIA Awards. In 2006, Midnight Oil was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, cementing its legacy in Australian music history.

Beyond his role behind the drum kit, Hirst was also a key creative contributor, co-writing many of the band’s most iconic songs, including “Beds Are Burning,” “The Dead Heart,” “Blue Sky Mine,” “Forgotten Years,” and “King of the Mountain.”4

Final years

Midnight Oil went on hiatus in 2002 before reuniting in 2016 to record new music. The band released two additional albums, including their final record, Resist, in 2022.

Musician Rob Hirst of “Midnight Oil” arrives for the Rolling Stone Magazine Revival Party at the Hordern Pavillion on October 1, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)

That release was followed by a farewell tour that marked the end of their decades-long run. Hirst continued making music outside the band as well, launching a solo career in 2005. Continue reading…

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