Dave Grohl tells Sydney crowd Russell, whose death was announced this week, was a ‘big’ hero of his
Todd Russell, Beaconsfield mine collapse survivor, dies aged 54 due to illness
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A solemn moment has broken up an otherwise raucous Foo Fighters Australian concert as the band’s frontman made a lengthy on-stage tribute to Beaconsfield survivor Todd Russell.
The US band are touring Australia for the 16th time in their 32-year history and Tuesday night’s Sydney show coincided with the news of Russell’s death at the age of 54.
The Tasmanian mine collapsed on Anzac Day 20 years ago and trapped Russell a kilometre below ground with co-worker Brant Webb.
The pair were presumed dead in the disaster, which killed a third miner, Larry Knight.
The two survivors were trapped in a vehicle underground and their 14-day rescue effort became global news.
When the duo were asked what supplies they needed, Russell asked for an iPod with Foo Fighters music to keep his spirits alive as loud drilling took place for the rescue effort.
The Foo Fighters frontman, Dave Grohl, told the Accor Stadium crowd his band had a funny relationship with the Beaconsfield miners.
While the duo were trapped, Grohl sent a message to say he had two tickets…
