The world of rock music is mourning the loss of a musician whose powerful rhythms became part of the soundtrack of generations.
Rob Hirst, the founding drummer of Australian rock band Midnight Oil, died on January 20, 2026, at the age of 70.
The band confirmed that Hirst passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, following a nearly three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
But Hirst was far more than the man behind the drum kit.
His energetic and unmistakable playing helped give Midnight Oil its raw, urgent sound, while his songwriting played an important role in shaping some of the band’s most memorable music.
Among the songs connected to his work are iconic tracks such as “Beds Are Burning,” “The Dead Heart,” “Blue Sky Mine,” and “Read About It.”
Midnight Oil was formed in the 1970s and eventually became much more than a successful rock band.
Their music carried a message.
Environmental protection, Indigenous rights, and social justice became important themes throughout their career, helping the band develop a cultural influence that reached far beyond music.
And even as his own health declined, Hirst continued creating.
His musical journey, however, was far from over.
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