Australian music legend Rob Hirst has died at the age of 70 after a nearly three-year battle with stage three pancreatic cancer.
Best known as the drummer and founding member of the iconic Australian rock band Midnight Oil, Hirst helped shape the group’s powerful sound and socially conscious message. His drumming featured on classic albums such as Diesel and Dust and Blue Sky Mining, including hit songs like Beds Are Burning and The Dead Heart.
After his diagnosis in 2023, Hirst spoke openly about end-of-life choices and continued to inspire fans with his courage. Beyond Midnight Oil, he was involved in several musical projects, including Ghostwriters, Backsliders, Angry Tradesmen, and the Break.
He is survived by his wife, Leslie Holland, and his daughters Alexandra, Gabriella, and Jay O’Shea. His legacy will live on through nearly five decades of influential music and activism.