Australian rock group Midnight Oil has confirmed the death of the group’s drummer and co-founder, Rob Hirst, in a touching statement on social media
21:45, 20 Jan 2026Updated 21:54, 20 Jan 2026
Midnight Oil was a big hit after forming in the 70s(Image: Getty Images)
The co-founder of popular Australian rock group Midnight Oil has died. The band confirmed the death of Rob Hirst on Tuesday as they said the drummer is “now free of pain”.
Posting a heartbreaking statement on their website, the band said: “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.” Rob was 70 years old. The band was best known for their politically charged singles. These included Beds are Burning and The Dead Heart. The hits were part of their successful 1987 album, Diesel and Dust.
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Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil has died(Image: Getty Images)
The group was formed in 1976 by Hirst and guitarist Jim Moginie. The pair welcomed singer Peter Garret to the lineup and the trio performed together until 2002.
In 1989 and 1991, the group was nominated for a Grammy Award, but was pipped to the post. After splitting in 2002, they reformed in 2016 until 2022.
Previously speaking to The Guardian, Jim said Rob was the “engine room, onstage and off” for Midnight Oil. In his memoir titlted The Silver River in 2024, he wrote: “Rob was brash, funny and super intelligent, contrary to the clichéd view of drummers.”
In April last year, Rob said he had undergone “pretty much every treatment known to man” in a bid to take on his cancer. Months later in October, he tried to raise money by auctioning a drum set Midnight Oil took on tour from 1979 through 2022.
The funds were to go towards helping Australian musicians trying to make ends meet. After news of his death, fans paid tribute to the drummer.
Among those sharing touching messages was Australian singer Jimmy Barnes. He said on Instagram: “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.”
Hoodoo Gurus also shared a tribute for the star. In it, they noted his close friendship with bassist Rick Grossman. The group posted: “You left this world a far better place than the way you found it. Your creativity, passion and joy has left its mark on all of us, and the strength of your spirit will be an inspiration forever. A life well lived.”
Another user wrote: “I was always in total awe whenever I saw Rob Hirst play. Playing with @midnightoilband, Backsliders, The Break and many other bands.
“Rob always brought the power and the passion to everything he did. Let’s not forget that, in addition to being Australia’s greatest drummer, he was also a great singer.”
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