Foo Fighters interrupt Sydney concert to pay tribute to Beaconsfield miner Todd Russell

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 and two beers waiting for them for any Foo Fighters show when they got out of the mine.

He kept his promise and met the pair backstage at the Sydney Opera House show later in 2006.

Grohl wrote the duo a song the night before, called Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners.

At Tuesday’s show, band members left Grohl standing on stage as a picture of Russell appeared on screen and the singer recalled their get-together 20 years earlier.

“Afterwards we all went to the bar and we had the beers I promised, and I got so drunk I promised I’d put [Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners] on our next record,” he said.

“And I did. I’m glad I did because I’ve met a few heroes in my life but that was a big one, so I’m doing this one tonight for Todd Russell.”

Russell’s death came one week after he announced a move home to “see out his days” following an illness.