Rob Hirst, Midnight Oil Drummer & Co‑Founder, Dies at 70
Here’s a breakdown of the provided text,focusing on key facts about Rob Hirst adn Midnight Oil:
Key points:
* Rob Hirst’s Death: Rob Hirst,drummer and founding member of Midnight Oil,has passed away after a three-year battle with illness. He died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
* Midnight Oil’s Formation: Hirst co-founded the band (originally called Farm) in the early 1970s. Peter Garrett joined as the frontman in 1976, leading to the formation of Midnight Oil.
* Band’s Importance: Midnight Oil was known for tackling significant social and political issues in their lyrics – corporate greed, corruption, civil rights, and Indigenous land rights. They are considered one of the most important Australian rock bands.
* Notable Songs & Albums:
* “Beds Are Burning” (1987): A landmark song addressing Indigenous land rights, reaching No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
* Diesel and Dust (1987): The album featuring “Beds Are Burning,” reaching No. 21 on the Billboard 200.
* blue Sky Mining (1990): Reached No. 20 on the billboard 200.
* resist (2022): Their final studio album, achieving No. 1 in Australia.
* Awards & Recognition:
* 11 ARIA Awards
* ARIA Hall of Fame induction (2006)
* Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music (2018)
* Peter Garrett’s Political Career: Peter Garrett’s decade-long career in federal politics perhaps limited the band’s output.
* Hirst’s Other Projects: Hirst was a prolific musician, involved in numerous other bands and projects throughout his career, including The Ghostwriters, Backsliders, and The Break.
* Percussion Style: The opening sentence highlights Hirst’s drumming on the 1982 track as ”powerful, passionate, and one of the most memorable pieces of percussion in Aussie rock music’s impressive history.”
In essence, the text is an obituary and tribute to Rob Hirst, celebrating his life and musical contributions, particularly his pivotal role in the success and legacy of Midnight Oil.