Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl paid tribute to Beaconsfield mine disaster survivor Todd Russell during the band’s Sydney concert on Tuesday night (November 10th), hours after the news of his death emerged. 

During the band’s performance at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, Grohl took to the secondary stage alone to perform “Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners”, the instrumental he wrote 20 years ago in honour of Russell and fellow survivor Brant Webb, who spent 14 days trapped underground following the 2006 mine collapse in Tasmania.

It was a particularly poignant moment given the history between the Foo Fighters frontman and the two men whose survival story inspired the song.

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On Anzac Day in 2006, Russell and fellow miner Brant Webb became trapped nearly a kilometre underground when a rock fall struck the Beaconsfield Gold Mine in northern Tasmania. Their colleague, Larry Knight, was killed in the collapse, and the pair were initially presumed dead before rescuers discovered them alive five days later.

Their eventual rescue on May 9th, after 14 days underground, captivated Australia and made international headlines.

During the rescue operation, Webb famously requested an iPod loaded with Foo Fighters music, hoping to find comfort in the band’s songs while awaiting freedom.

The request eventually reached Grohl, who was so moved by the miners’ ordeal that he offered them tickets to a Foo Fighters show anywhere in the world and promised to share a beer with them.

He also composed “Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners”, first performing the acoustic instrumental for Russell and Webb at the Sydney Opera House in October 2006. The track also appeared on the band’s 2007 album, Echoes, Silences, Patience & Grace.

The connection came full circle earlier this year when Foo Fighters performed at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium in January.

As Rolling Stone AU/NZ reported at the time, Webb appeared onstage before a crowd of approximately 26,000 fans to introduce Grohl, who once again performed the song written in honour of the two miners.

Speaking about the significance of the music, Grohl described learning that the band’s songs had provided comfort during the rescue as a profound experience.

Russell’s death, announced on Tuesday, prompted tributes from across Australia.

According to ABC News, Russell died following an undisclosed illness, having recently returned home after more than eight months in hospital to spend his final days with loved ones.

Webb also paid tribute to his former colleague, reflecting on the experience that had connected them for two decades.

“We went through something together all those years ago that will always connect us,” Webb said in a statement, per the ABC.

Foo Fighters’ ‘Take Cover’ Tour continues in Newcastle on Thursday (November 12th) before headline to Melbourne, Adelaide and New Zealand.