Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst dies following cancer battle
Updated . First published at
Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst has died age 70 after an almost three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
A statement on the band's Facebook page says the Australian musician died "peacefully, surrounded by loved ones".
"After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain - 'a glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness'," the statement reads.
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Hirst died aged 70. The Age
Hirst has writing credits on multiple of Midnight Oils biggest hits. Supplied/Robert Hambling
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The drummer was diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer in 2023, six months after Midnight Oil's last ever performance at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion.
The Camden-born drummer was one of the founding members in 1972 of Midnight Oil, the legendary Australian band led by frontman Peter Garrett.
The Australian rock band is best known for songs such as Power and the Passion, Beds Are Burning and Blue Sky Mine.
Hirst's family has urged people to honour the drummer's legacy by donating to Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia or Support Act.
Rob Hirst in 1987. Gary McLean/Fairfax Media
Hirst is survived by his wife, Lesley Holland, and his three daughters.
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