Foo Fighters honour Beaconsfield rescue survivor Todd Russell at Sydney concert

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl paid tribute to Todd Russell at the band’s Sydney concert after news of the Beaconsfield mine survivor’s death at 54. The tribute recalled how Russell’s request for Foo Fighters music during his 2006 ordeal led to a lasting connection with the band.

Russell and fellow miner Brant Webb were trapped underground for 14 days after the Tasmanian mine collapsed on Anzac Day, killing a third miner. Grohl had promised them tickets and beers if they survived, later met them in Sydney and wrote “Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners”, which appeared on the band’s next album. Russell had announced a week before his death that he was returning home to see out his days while ill.