Writing tributes isn’t standard fare for the team at the AU review, but the untimely passing of Midnight Oil’s Rob Hirst demanded an exception. Several of the team were lucky enough to get to know Rob and his family over the years, and we wanted to take a few moments to reflect upon and honour his legacy.
There are countless articles about his path from forming a band with schoolmate Jim Moginie, Schwampy Moose, which soon became Farm, standing for Fucking All Right Mate, before being joined by Peter Garrett, courtesy of his responding to an ad for a singer that Hirst posted in the Sydney Morning Herald in 1975. Joined by Andrew James on bass and Martin Rotsey on guitar, they renamed themselves Midnight Oil in 1976. The bass playing duties would be taken over by Peter Gifford before ultimately being assumed by Bones Hillman from 1987.
How do we sum up a career that has spanned 50 years? Rob was truly multi-faceted, in and out of the Oils. Although obviously known and loved as a ferociously talented drummer and percussionist, he also bears a swag of songwriting credits and co-credits for some of the Oils’ greatest hits, including ‘Beds Are Burning’, ‘Blue Sky Mine’ and ‘Read About It’. He was the engine room and the unforgettable heartbeat in songs that have formed the soundtrack of an Australian generation.
Experiencing the Oils live was to stand in awe of his ability, simultaneously powerful and melodic, elevating the drums to an all-consuming sensory experience. I vividly recall a gig in late 1990 at the now-demolished Sydney Entertainment Centre. It’s sometimes easy to get a bit lost in the scale of an arena, yet I remember Rob Hirst being larger-than-life, powering through those iconic songs that night. As many Oils fans know, watching him step out from behind his kit to play his insane solo on a water tank during ‘Power and the Passion’ is a core memory. I’d never seen anything like it, and it sits in my soul still.
Last night, as I’m sure occurred in many homes, I settled down with a full playlist of the Oils and processed the news of his death the only way that seemed worthwhile. I honoured his life through the decades of timeless music, with their still-relevant lyrics, and savoured every beat of his drums.
The condolences of all of us at the AU review go out to his family, friends, and bandmates. Those of us who were lucky enough to know him count ourselves as bloody lucky. We mourn his loss and celebrate his massive contribution to Australian music and beyond.
Vale, Rob Hirst.
Anyone wishing to honour his life is encouraged by his family to donate to Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia or Support Act.
Header image credit: Bruce Baker. Additional contributions to the article by Larry Heath.
