Musician who drove much of the band’s ferocious sound and co-wrote many of its biggest hits was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023

• Rob Hirst was a force of nature, a born showman who led Midnight Oil from the back

Rob Hirst, the drummer and founding member of Australian rock band Midnight Oil, has died aged 70.

Hirst was diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer in 2023. The band confirmed his death on Tuesday afternoon.