Midnight Oil drummer dies aged 70 after cancer battle

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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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Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst performs on the 'Muppet Balcony' at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda. The iconic Australian rock band played their classic album 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 in its entirety under the banner "One For The Planet" on their final tour.

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Midnight Oil

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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.

Hirst is survived by his wife, Lesley Holland, and his three daughters.

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