Midnight Oil: Rob Hirst reveals he has been battling pancreatic cancer for over two years

The drummer and vocalist for one on Australia’s most iconic and controversial rock bands has announced he has been waging a fight against cancer for over two years.

Rob Hirst, of Midnight Oil fame, has spoken out about his ongoing battle against pancreatic cancer after he was diagnosed soon after the band played their farewell Australian Tour.

An Australian staple for the past 50 years, Midnight Oil has been the voice of social commentary for a generation, headed up by former Labor politician Peter Garrett.

Hirst spoke of the devastating diagnosois in an Interview with The Australian and said although the cancerous tumour was found in it’s early stages of growth it could not be removed and the aging rocker continues to have treatment.

After undergoing four months of chemotherapy, followed by an eight-hour “Whipple” surgery in an attempt to remove the primary cancer doctors were unable to remove the growth and he was forced to undergo more chemotherapy and then radiotherapy.

“I wanted to get the story of pancreas cancer out there,” Hirst told the Australian.

“Coming up to two years, I thought I just need to get this, literally, off my chest.

“Also, I think that the lesson for me – and maybe why I’ve lasted this long – is because, if you do have any of that kind of symptom, where there’s something that you feel is wrong, just go and get a simple blood test. It could be life-changing, and life-extending.”

He also chose to speak out about his diagnosis to honour the legendary musician and producer Mark Moffat, who recently passed away at the age of 74, and longtime Midnight Oil bass player Bones Hillman, who died from lung cancer in November 2020.

Hirst said he hasn’t “got the breath power” to play the drums anymore, but is thankful for the years with Midnight Oil.

“I’m not really missing out on ­anything … I’ve been so lucky,” he said.