Rob Hirst, the steady rhythmic force behind Midnight Oil for more than four decades, has revealed that he’s been living and performing with a cancer diagnosis that was first identified in 2022. Known for his energetic playing and physical presence on stage, Hirst has continued to tour and record with the band while undergoing treatment.
Rob Hirst made the news public through a personal statement. The diagnosis involved cancer found in his right tonsil and lymph node, a condition he says was linked to HPV, a virus that is more commonly associated today with several types of cancer. After surgery and follow-up treatment, Hirst says he is feeling strong and remains active behind the drum kit.
The drummer’s decision to share his diagnosis comes after encouragement from medical professionals who hoped that his story might raise awareness around HPV-related cancers, especially in men. He explained that the condition is treatable when detected early, and that he’s in a good place now thanks to early intervention and consistent monitoring.
Despite the nature of the diagnosis, Hirst has kept a full performance schedule, playing with his usual intensity throughout Midnight Oil’s 2022 farewell tour and beyond. For many fans who saw the band on that tour, there would have been little to suggest that anything was amiss. Hirst’s drumming remained fierce and unrelenting, showing the same energy that powered classics like “Forgotten Years” and “Blue Sky Mine.”
Beyond being Midnight Oil’s drummer, Hirst is also one of the group’s lyricists and backing vocalists, making his contribution to the band far more than just rhythmic. His personal and musical resilience has long been part of what gives the band its bite.
In going public, Hirst has added a new dimension to his role. While he’s always been politically outspoken, with Midnight Oil’s catalogue full of social commentary, this time he’s offering a message of health advocacy. He’s urging people, especially men who may not think about HPV-related risks, to get regular checkups and act early if something feels off.
Midnight Oil may have signaled an end to large-scale touring, but their members remain active. And Hirst, even while navigating a health challenge, is still very much driving the rhythm forward. His openness is another example of how musicians, even at their most vulnerable, often become the loudest voice in the room, not just with their instruments, but with their stories.