TONY HARNELL Pays Tribute To TONY MILLS: 'I Thought He Did A Fantastic Job' Singing For TNT

Former TNT singer Tony Harnell has paid tribute to Tony Mills, saying that the British-born vocalist "did a fantastic job" replacing him in the band.

Mills appeared on three studio albums from TNT — 2007's "The New Territory", 2008's "Atlantis" and 2010's "A Farewell To Arms" — before exiting and being replaced by a returning Harnell.

Mills died on September 18 after a six-month battle with cancer. He was 57 years old.

Harnell, who fronted TNT during its most successful period, took to social media on Wednesday (September 25) to pay respects to Mills, writing: "I didn't know Tony Mills well. We met at Dag Stokke's funeral in 2011 and sang together for the 30th anniversary of the band with the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra in 2012 and we spoke via email and on the phone several times over the years. He was always gracious and complimentary and respected the legacy of my work with TNT.

"I thought he did a fantastic job. I regret not getting to know him better.

"When I left in 2005 I handed the band a short list of singers I thought would be good for the gig. He was on that list. He was the 2nd most prolific singer in the recording studio with TNT with three studio albums to his credit. His work outside TNT is the work that's most important.

"I'm honored that Tony was the guy to take over and keep the band moving forward. There was no better choice.

"Tony's funeral was today. Many friends gathered to celebrate his life.

"Rest In Peace mate. Thank you for the music!"

Mills toured the world with British AOR sensation SHY in the '80s and established himself as a versatile songwriter and session vocalist with a slew of U.S. artists during the '80s and '90s. While fronting TNT, he maintained an active solo career and continued being involved in session work.

Harnell beat thyroid cancer in 2009 and later appeared in advertisements for the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists in order to share his story and help educate others about the warning signs of thyroid cancer.