"Sad news: Midnight Oil co-founder and drummer Rob Hirst has died following a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. The band wrote, "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." They added, "We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob. For now there are no words but there will always be songs. Love Always from Jim, Martin & Pete.""
"By the time of 1987's worldwide breakthrough Diesel and Dust, Midnight Oil were one of the biggest bands in Australia. Hirst not only played drums - his powerhouse style was essential to the 'Oils sound - but sang backup and co-wrote some of the band's best-known songs, including "Beds Are Burning," "The Dead Heart," "Power and the Passion," "Blue Sky Mine," "Dreamworld," "Kosciuszko," and "Forgotten Years.""
Rob Hirst died after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, and was described as free of pain after fighting heroically. Those wanting to honor him were encouraged to donate to Painkind: Pancreatic Cancer in Australia and Support Act. Hirst co-founded Midnight Oil as a teenager in 1972 when the band was known as Farm (Fucking All Right Mate). Midnight Oil released a self-titled debut six years later after a punk-rock transformation and achieved worldwide breakthrough with 1987's Diesel and Dust. Hirst's powerful drumming, backup vocals, and co-writing contributed to songs including Beds Are Burning and Blue Sky Mine. Bassist Bones Hillman died in 2020; the band toured North America in 2022 on a final tour.
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