Foo Fighters frontman honours deceased Australian miner Todd Russell
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 11 Nov, 01:32 · Archive
Dave Grohl paid tribute to Todd Russell, a Beaconsfield mine survivor who died aged 54, during a Sydney concert.
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl paid tribute to Todd Russell during the band's Sydney concert on Tuesday night. Mr Russell, a survivor of the Beaconsfield mine collapse, died aged 54. The Tasmanian mine collapsed on Anzac Day 20 years ago, trapping Mr Russell and co-worker Brant Webb a kilometre underground. A third miner, Larry Knight, was killed in the disaster. The pair were trapped in a vehicle for 14 days before being rescued in an effort that became global news.
During the rescue, Mr Russell requested Foo Fighters music on an iPod to help maintain spirits during the loud drilling. Grohl told the Accor Stadium crowd that the band had previously promised the two survivors tickets and beers to any Foo Fighters show once they were rescued. Grohl kept his promise and met them backstage at the Sydney Opera House in 2006.
Grohl wrote the song 'Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners' the night before that meeting. At Tuesday's concert, band members left Grohl on stage as a picture of Mr Russell appeared on-screen. Grohl recalled that after their backstage meeting he became drunk and promised to include the song on the band's next record. 'And I did,' he said.
How it is being reported
- Dave Grohl pays tribute to Beaconsfield miner Todd Russell amid energetic Sydney showThe Foo Fighters frontman had a special bond with Todd Russell and Brant Webb – and on the day of Russell’s death, he played the ballad he wrote for the pair.WAtoday · 11 Nov, 02:10
- Foo Fighters pay tribute to 'hero' Australian minerFoo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has told a crowded stadium his hero was a late Australian miner and fan of the band's music.The West Australian · 11 Nov, 00:56
- Foo Fighters pay tribute to 'hero' Australian minerFoo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has told a crowded stadium his hero was a late Australian miner and fan of the band's music.Perth Now · 11 Nov, 00:56
In this story: Dave Grohl · Todd Russell · Brant Webb · Larry Knight · Foo Fighters · Beaconsfield · Tasmania · Sydney
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