RIP Rob Hirst from the Oils

[Mr_Bojangles]

I'm sure there's an oils thread back in the day but couldn't find it. Their legendary drummer Rob Hirst has died after a three year cancer battle.

An absolute force of nature that drove the band. Totally blew me away and was a large influence on me musically and politically.

RIP

 

[Sarcoidevo]

Sad news ... an Australian Music Legend

 

[smasha]

Sad day.
One of my drumming heroes.
Incredible songwriter as well.

Oils ,Australia's greatest band imo.

He fit alot into his life.

R.I.P. Rob.

 

[Satan]

Put your drumsticks out

 

[Sarcoidevo]

Goat Island was 40 years ago .... where has that time gone

 

[smasha]

Goat Island was 40 years ago .... where has that time gone

Taped that concert live on betamax hifi and audio from ABC fm.

We did not have Triple J then.

 

[CURVE]

I grew up listening to the Oils, they were such an important part of my teenage years.

RIP Rob

 

[TimZoo]

Saw him kill it with his band at the 2023 bluesfest,was diagnosed not long after I believe,Just a good solid drummer

 

[Paul Kersey]

Sad to read. Rest in power.

 

[Plugger35]

You wouldn't read about it.




One of the greatest drummers of all time.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Vale Rob Hirst. The guy had enough power and energy to power up a street of houses.

Nearly all The Oils songs had co-writing credits, but Rob basically wrote this about his grandfather's and father's war experiences. Jim Moginie gets a song writing credit as he did some work on the melody. This is a one of their more powerful, and also underrated songs.

 

[Satan]

Vale Rob Hirst. The guy had enough power and energy to power up a street of houses.

Nearly all The Oils songs had co-writing credits, but Rob basically wrote this about his grandfather's and father's war experiences. Jim Moginie gets a song writing credit as he did some work on the melody. This is a one of their more powerful, and also underrated songs.

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

Andrew Stafford is probably the best authority writing wise when it comes to the Oils and had a piece in the Guardian today.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2...rn-showman-who-led-midnight-oil-from-the-back

 

[PoopingHindi]

one of the first gigs I ever went to was Midnight Oil’s One For The Homeless Kids at the Myer Music Bowl. I wasn’t a massive Oils fan (I’m still not) but if I wasn’t in love with live music before then I was after that show.
…and the thing that blew me away the most was the absolute animal on the drums.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Rob Hirst bringing back the small corrugated iron water tank from the West Australian desert during the band's Blackfella / Whitefella tour in 1986, with the Warumpi Band (who they played 2nd fiddle to in a lot of communities) was a brilliant idea. It was unique - world wide - and he always used it well in his shows as per the above video.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Saw this earlier today. Andrew McMillen is the national music writer at The Australian.

 

[James Colorado]

Not a massive fan of the Oils (being a metalhead), but my old man was, and when he was alive he made damn sure I knew what quality music was. So I did grow up with them and hearing them on Triple J, and understanding that for them, their endeavours were more than merely selling albums but trying to make the world a fairer place.

And the drumming in The Power and the Passion would probably be the first time I really became aware of the drummer's impact upon the song.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Andrew Stafford is probably the best authority writing wise when it comes to the Oils and had a piece in the Guardian today.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2...rn-showman-who-led-midnight-oil-from-the-back

I should have quoted the last paragraph last night in case the article ever gets paywalled.


It’s a testament to Hirst’s songwriting brilliance, as much as Garrett’s leadership and the group’s overwhelming zeal, that the band succeeded so righteously at pissing off all the right people: corrupt politicians, greedy developers, music industry fakes. Hirst fully embodied the power and the passion that drove Midnight Oil until the very end. He died on his feet.

 

[rank and file]

Goat Island was 40 years ago .... where has that time gone

Went to this one,on the footy oval in a circus tent.
Top shelf as expected.

That was 40 years ago good times.
Vale Rob Hirst.

 

[rank and file]

I should have quoted the last paragraph last night in case the article ever gets paywalled.


It’s a testament to Hirst’s songwriting brilliance, as much as Garrett’s leadership and the group’s overwhelming zeal, that the band succeeded so righteously at pissing off all the right people: corrupt politicians, greedy developers, music industry fakes. Hirst fully embodied the power and the passion that drove Midnight Oil until the very end. He died on his feet.

'Special Guerilla Action'(agit prop) out the front of Exxon was peak.
Can't do that today.

 

[No eye deer]

Rock In Peace Rob.
A true powerhouse of Australian drumming.
Also a great songwriter and wonderful human being.
Watch out neighbours when I finally get a day off.
It will be a tribute to Rob and it will be F@#king loud!!!

 

[rdhopkins2]

Oils! Oils!
Bones gone. Rob gone.
Not just about the music but social justice.
They had the power and the passion to bring about positive change.

Rock on PG! Continue to impact.