But despite pleas from victims of the 2003 disaster which killed 100 people including guitarist Ty Longley, Russell stops short of making a public apology or accepting any responsibility.

He played a controversial benefit show on February 7, which he admits was a disappointment after only 30 people attended, raising just $180 for a charity run by Longley's son.

"It's been almost 10 years and no matter what I say it's never going to make anybody feel any better about it, and sometimes it might make them feel worse, so I really would rather not say too much," Russell tells the Boston Globe.