Singer TONY MILLS Explains Departure From TNT

After three studio albums and extensive touring in Scandinavia, Europe and USA with Norwegian hard rockers TNT, British vocalist Tony Mills continues the journey in his own artistic direction. Tony's contractual obligations in territories like Japan and Australia, as well as different preferences in the rock world fueled the decision to part ways with the band.

"It has been a a long road since 2006 and I've been through a lot since Z Records recommended me for the job in Oslo," says Tony. "I've met a huge amount of people here; for such a small population compared to the U.K., the market for rock music is a lot bigger than I could have ever believed with grand support from the government and open doors for funding. The fan base is spread over generations and the promotional support unprecedented. The country is much bigger than it seems and we have flown so many times, I've lost count," Mills continues.

"After the passing of our beloved Dag Stokke [TNT keyboardist], and the parting with [TNT bassist] Victor Borge at the end of last year, my departing may not be altogether unexpected. But there are other contracts I need to fulfill and a different focus I have to maintain in the coming years. I wish [TNT guitarist] Ronni [Le Tekrø] and his team all the best for their future, however it may shape itself. We've had some remarkable experiences together and we've worked with some incredible characters, from Ozzy Osbourne to Trine Rein, Anita Hegerland, SKID ROW and MOTÖRHEAD, STAGE DOLLS, Morten Abel, Age Sten Nielsen and even the crown prince. Bless them all; I hope to see them a few more times before the rock 'n' roll wheel stops spinning and finally grinds to a halt. I shall be fulfilling all the previous engagements booked by the band and expected by the public, with great pleasure. And the 'Girls in Norway' are wonderful," Mills says in closing.

Mills performed with TNT in Ålesund on August 9 and at Eidsvoll August 10 and for the good feeling of all concerned, he has agreed to return from the U.K. to play his final show with TNT in Trondheim, Norway on August 23.

Mills' TNT predecessor, singer Tony Harnell, earlier in the month shot down reports of his reunion with the band as "a bit premature."

Harnell confirmed in an email to VG that he has been in contact with Diesel Dahl and Ronni Le Tekrø about a reunion. "It is true that the three of us have talked about it, but there are still details that remain to be worked out before I commit to anything," Harnell is quoted as saying. He also made it clear that he did not want to "fill in" for Mills, but instead build a completely new and separate show.

"It's best to start afresh with a solid plan and proper preparation," Harnell said. "Next year is the 25th anniversary of the release of TNT album 'Intuition', so we're talking about taking advantage of that and making it a special tour."

Harnell rejoined TNT on stage for their 30th-anniversary concert on June 2, 2012 at the Clarion Hotel in Trondheim, Norway. The group performed a special setlist while accompanied by the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra (Trondheim Symfoniorkester). Also making a special appearance with the band was TNT's original singer, Dag Ingebrigtsen.

After leaving TNT in 2006, Harnell was replaced by Mills, who has since appeared on three studio albums from the band: 2007's "The New Territory", 2008's"Atlantis" and 2010's "A Farewell To Arms".

Harnell's final release as a member of TNT was the "Live in Madrid" DVD, which came out in September 2006 via MTM Music. The set, which was filmed on April 1, 2006 in Madrid, Spain, was accompanied by an 82-minute audio CD plus booklet liner notes from Harnell about his work with the group as well as an additional tour documentary by Darren Paltrowitz.