These $32,000 drums made Midnight Oil history—now they’re being sold for a heartbreaking reason

When you’ve spent nearly half a century pounding out the heartbeat of Australian rock, saying goodbye isn’t just about parting with an instrument—it’s about letting go of a lifelong rhythm.

For Midnight Oil’s legendary drummer Rob Hirst, that farewell comes with even deeper meaning as he battles pancreatic cancer.

Now, the man whose drumming defined an era is auctioning off the black Ludwig kit that fuelled the band’s sound for more than four decades.

After 45 years of relentless touring, recording, and performing, the instrument that powered Head Injuries, ‘Beds are Burning’, and ‘Power and the Passion’ has officially found a new home—fetching $32,000 at auction.

For Hirst, the kit is far more than wood and metal.

It’s a symbol of a life spent creating the soundtrack to Australia’s social conscience.

A private battle made public

At 70, Hirst revealed that he’s been living with pancreatic cancer for two years, diagnosed just six months after Midnight Oil’s farewell Australian tour ended in October 2023.

He initially kept his illness private, undergoing months of chemotherapy and a major Whipple surgery that ultimately couldn’t remove the tumour.

In April 2025, he decided to speak openly about his diagnosis, hoping to raise awareness about a cancer he says ‘hasn’t really attracted the attention, for example, of skin cancers or breast cancers or others.’

The harsh reality of pancreatic cancer

According to Cancer Australia, only 12 per cent of men diagnosed with pancreatic cancer between 2016 and 2020 survived for five years.

It’s often dubbed the ‘silent killer’ due to its lack of symptoms in early stages, which leads to late detection and limited treatment options.

Hirst’s own experience reflects that struggle—he admits the disease has robbed him of the stamina to play the heavy rock sets that made his name.

‘I don’t have the breath power to play a big rock ’n’ roll kit anymore,’ he said.

More than just wood and metal

The black Ludwig kit Hirst auctioned wasn’t just any drum set—it was the rhythmic backbone of Midnight Oil’s global legacy.

It endured decades of tours and recording sessions, surviving every beat of Australia’s most politically charged anthems.

‘There is this thing between musicians and their instruments, but this one, I just felt sorry for—literally, for the beating it’s taken over the last 45 years,’ Hirst joked.

Not included in the sale, however, was his famous corrugated iron water tank—salvaged during the band’s 1986 Blackfella/Whitefella tour—which remains part of Midnight Oil’s permanent collection displayed in galleries nationwide.

Supporting those who support music

Hirst directed the auction proceeds to Support Act and MusicNT’s Fix ’em Up Truck program—two organisations providing vital aid to musicians and remote First Nations communities.

The choice reflects his lifelong commitment to both the music industry and Indigenous causes, values that have defined Midnight Oil since the 1970s.

Musicians including Troy Cassar-Daley, Mark Seymour, and Paul Kelly shared the auction details across social media, rallying fans in support of their longtime friend and collaborator.

A message of hope and vigilance

By sharing his diagnosis, Hirst hopes to encourage others to act quickly when symptoms arise.

He urged people to ‘go and get a simple blood test’ if something feels wrong, adding that it ‘could be life-changing, and life-extending.’

His call for vigilance comes as a tribute to friends lost to cancer, including producer Mark Moffat and Midnight Oil bassist Bones Hillman.

Life beyond the kit

Despite the battle, Hirst remains upbeat and creative.

‘I’ve kind of had “the works”—but today I’m feeling really good,’ he told Rolling Stone Australia in March.

He recently turned 70 and welcomed a new grandchild just two weeks ago, while continuing to collaborate musically with his daughters, including Jay O’Shea, whom he reconnected with in 2010.

Even without his iconic kit, his artistry lives on through side projects like Ghostwriters, Backsliders, and The Break.

The beat goes on

The sale of Rob Hirst’s drum kit marks not an ending, but a transformation—proof that music’s legacy lives far beyond the stage.

In turning his personal struggle into public awareness, Hirst shows that even in silence, the rhythm of compassion and courage can echo louder than any drumbeat.

Hirst’s story is a powerful reminder that some illnesses can stay hidden until it’s almost too late, making awareness and early detection more vital than ever.

If his journey struck a chord, you might find comfort in learning about other conditions that show few warning signs before they become serious.

Here’s another story that sheds light on how to spot the subtle signs before it’s too late.

Read more: Silent cancers: here’s what you need to know when there are no obvious symptoms

Losing the power to play may have quieted his drums—but Rob Hirst’s message of strength, hope, and awareness will keep beating on.