Rob Hirst, the drummer and co-songwriter of the Australian rock band Midnight Oil, opened up about his struggles with anxiety and the pressures of early success in a candid conversation recorded shortly before his death in January at age 70. In what would become his final interview, Hirst reflected on the intense emotions behind one of the band's most iconic musical moments—the drum solo on the song "Power and the Passion" from their 1982 album *10 to 1*.

Speaking from the deck of his family home in Manly, Hirst described how his time living in London during the band’s attempt to break into the UK market was marked by significant personal turmoil. He recounted feelings of desperation and anxiety that were exacerbated by the looming threat of the band falling apart amid financial hardship and uncertain prospects. At that time, the group was surviving on about 35 pounds a week, and tensions ran high as the members worked to complete the album.

The drummer shared that the solo on "Power and the Passion," often regarded as one of the most powerful drum performances in Australian music, was a raw expression of his emotional state. He said he has never been able to replicate the intensity of that one-take recording because it came from a place of deep psychological distress. Hirst described experiencing classic panic attacks—episodes of racing heart, sweating, and overwhelming anxiety—that even led to a hospital visit. A doctor diagnosed the attacks and advised him to manage symptoms by breathing into a paper bag to regulate carbon dioxide levels.

During the nearly two-hour conversation with journalist and longtime friend David Leser, who first met Hirst at Sydney Grammar School, the musician also spoke about his artistic influences, including Ringo Starr, and reflected on his working relationships within the band. He praised his Midnight Oil bandmates Peter Garrett, Jim Moginie, Martin Rotsey, and the late Bones Hillman, as well as expressing deep affection for his wife, Lesley, and daughters Lexi, Gabriella, and Jay.

Leser, who has known Hirst for more than five decades, described him as a loyal and sensitive individual who used his music to give voice to social and political frustrations in Australia. He called Hirst a beloved figure whose work captured both protest and passion, emphasizing the depth and authenticity behind the artist's contributions to music and culture.