Rob Hirst facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rob Hirst AM
Hirst with Backsliders at Womadelaide 2007
Background information
Birth name	Robert George Hirst
Born	(1955-09-03)3 September 1955 Camden, New South Wales, Australia
Died	20 January 2026(2026-01-20) (aged 70) New South Wales, Australia
Genres	Rock alternative rock blues delta blues surf music
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter producer
Instruments	Drums percussion guitar keyboards vocals
Years active	1971–2026
Labels	Virgin Mercury SonyBMG

Robert George Hirst (born September 3, 1955 – died January 20, 2026) was a talented Australian musician. He was best known as a founding member of the famous rock band Midnight Oil. In this band, he played the drums, percussion, and sang backing vocals. Sometimes, he even sang lead vocals! He was with Midnight Oil from the 1970s until they took a break in 2002. The band started performing and recording again in 2017.

Rob Hirst was also part of other bands like Ghostwriters, Backsliders, the Angry Tradesmen, and the Break. He even wrote a book called Willie's Bar & Grill. This book shared his experiences while touring with Midnight Oil after the September 11 events in 2001.

In January 2026, Rob Hirst received a special honor. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This award recognized his important contributions to music and the performing arts.

Midnight Oil

Rob Hirst and his friends Jim Moginie and Andrew "Bear" James started playing music together in the early 1970s. They were still schoolboys! Their first show was at a school hall in Sydney. They called themselves Schwampy Moose and mostly played songs by The Beatles. By 1976, their band was called Farm.

Rob, who was studying at the University of Sydney, put an ad in the newspaper. He was looking for a singer to join them. Soon, Peter Garrett joined as the lead singer. The band then included Rob Hirst on drums, Jim Moginie on guitar and keyboards, and Andrew James on bass. Later, Martin Rotsey joined on guitar, and Gary Morris became their manager. They decided to change their name to Midnight Oil.

Midnight Oil was known for their energetic live shows. Their early music was a mix of surf and punk styles. As the 1980s began, Rob, Jim, and Peter started writing songs about important topics. They cared deeply about issues like Aboriginal rights and fairness for everyone. Peter Garrett, with his strong voice, often spoke about these ideas during their concerts.

In 1979, Andrew James left the band and Peter Gifford became the new bass player. After touring the Australian outback in 1987, Peter Gifford left due to health reasons. Bones Hillman then joined as the new bass player. He added new singing styles to the band. Midnight Oil kept making music and touring around the world for 15 more years. They released 14 albums and two EPs. In 2002, Peter Garrett left to work in politics. The band started playing together again in 2017 and went on a world tour.

Ghostwriters

While Midnight Oil was on a break in the mid-1990s, Rob Hirst started another band. He teamed up with guitarist Andrew Dickson and Hoodoo Gurus bass player Rick Grossman. They called their new band Ghostwriters. This group released four albums.

Backsliders

In 2000, Rob Hirst joined an Australian blues band called Backsliders. This band started in 1986. Rob played alongside founding member Dom Turner and harmonica players. With Rob in the band, they released six studio albums, one EP, and a live DVD.

Other Music Projects

Rob Hirst was always busy with music! In 2002, he and Dom Turner formed another band called the Angry Tradesmen. They wanted to mix different styles of music. Their album, Beat the House, came out in 2008. Midnight Oil's Martin Rotsey also played on it. Rob and Martin also appeared on Jim Moginie's solo album.

Rob also worked with Australian Olympic athletes on a special recording for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. He also collaborated with former Olympic athlete Paul Greene. They released an album called In the Stealth of Summer.

In 2010, Rob, Jim Moginie, and Martin Rotsey formed a new surf rock band. They joined with Violent Femmes bass player Brian Ritchie and Jack Howard. Their band was called the Break. They released their first album, Church of the Open Sky, in 2010. They followed this with an Australian tour. Their second album, Space Farm, came out in 2013, also followed by a tour.

In 2015, Rob Hirst made music with his eldest daughter, Jay O'Shea. Jay is part of the band O'Shea. They connected later in life, and it was a special collaboration. The song "The Truth Walks Slowly" was one of their projects. Rob had also worked with his two younger daughters, who sang backing vocals on his solo album.

Personal Life

Rob Hirst had three daughters. Two of his daughters were with his wife, Leslie Holland. His daughter, Gabriella Hirst, is an artist. His other daughter, Jay O'Shea, is a singer. They reunited in 2010 and later made music together.

Rob grew up in Mosman, a suburb of Sydney. He went to primary school with famous cricketer Allan Border.

Rob Hirst was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 2023. He passed away on January 20, 2026, at the age of 70.

Music Releases

Rob Hirst was involved in many music projects. He released several albums with his bands, including Midnight Oil, Ghostwriters, and Backsliders. He also released solo albums and collaborated with other artists. Some of his notable albums include In the Stealth of Summer with Paul Greene, The Sun Becomes the Sea, and The Lost and the Found with his daughter Jay O'Shea. He also released extended plays (EPs) with Jim Moginie and Hamish Stuart.

Awards and Honors

Rob Hirst received several awards for his amazing music.

• In 1989–90, his song "Beds Are Burning" with Midnight Oil won a Gold Award from the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).
• In 2001, "Beds Are Burning" was named one of the top 10 Australian songs by APRA.
• In 2018, Midnight Oil, including Rob Hirst, received the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.
• In 2021, the song "Gadigal Land", which Rob co-wrote, won the APRA Song of the Year award.
• In 2017, the music video for "The Truth Walks Slowly (In The Country Side)", featuring Rob Hirst and O'Shea, won Video of the Year at the Country Music Awards of Australia.