After three years fighting pancreatic cancer, Rob Hirst, the powerhouse behind Midnight Oil and the Backsliders, has died, at the age of 70.
Beyond being Australia’s greatest rock drummer, Rob Hirst was also a songwriter, singer, activist and environmentalist, putting his words, heart and energy into numerous progressive causes.
Social media has been flooded with eulogies since the news broke.
Jimmy Barnes said, ‘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.’
John Schumann said, ‘Denny, Matt, Addy and I are devastated for Lesley, Lex, Ella, partners and the grandies. We were all mates long before anyone else knew our names. Our two families holidayed together over the years. Our friendship from 1979 was in a side-room – away from the glitter and the rouge of the music industry.
‘He was always there for me and I hope I was always there for him. A great musician and a writer, certainly, but so, so much more than that. Tonight, planet Earth turns a little slower, the sea is greyer, the stars glimmer dimly and the music seems muffled somehow. Travel safely, Bert. Love ya like a brother.’
Champion human
Troy Cassar-Daly said, ‘Our musical night sky has lost a beautiful burning star yesterday… I have a piece of broken drum stick I kept from the stage that flew off and hit me in the back during a show with them a few years back.
‘He was working so hard on stage as always and the conversations I had with him on that run with the band I will cherish forever. RIP brother. A one off and a champion human.’
Dom Turner said, ‘Devastated at the passing of my musical brother, fellow Backslider and dear friend, Rob Hirst. Rob had incredible musicality, intelligence, boundless physical and creative energy, a fantastic sense of humour and a passion for life.
‘I am honoured and blessed to have had over 25 years of adventures with Rob; touring, writing and recording music, and most importantly, being friends. Sending huge love to Rob’s wife Lesley, Lex, Ella and all the Hirst family.’
Songs remain
Famous for his power on stage, Rob Hirst’s writing credits include many seminal Australian rock anthems, including ‘Beds are Burning’, ‘Blue Sky Mine’, ‘Read About It’ and ‘Gadigal Land’.
A statement from Midnight Oil said, ‘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 and Pete.’
One of Rob Hirst’s final public acts was to donate his iconic 1979 Ludwig drum kit to charity, with $90,000 going to Support Act to help musicians, crew and industry professionals in crisis, along with Music NT’s Fix ‘Em Up Truck campaign, to bring music education and opportunities to First Nations communities across remote Australia.
His family says that Rob Hirst died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. They ask that anyone wanting to honour his memory please donate to Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia or Support Act.
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