Tony Mills

July 7, 1962 – September 18, 2019

The Birmingham-born frontman, who carved a more than 35-year career with melodic hard rockers Shy, Siam, TNT, Serpentine and China Blue among others, has lost a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Having chosen to share details of his treatment in a blog, the 57-year-old passed away in the arms of his wife Linda, who called the singer “a gentle and kind soul, a dedicated husband with a love for the quiet life, his animals and his motorbikes.” She added: “Tony wanted to live, but wasn’t afraid of death.”

Mills released a sixth solo album, Beyond The Law, earlier this year and months ago was in sufficiently good health to have discussed a handful of reunion dates with Shy, who agreed to such a proposal, minus guitarist Steve Harris who succumbed to a brain tumour in 2011.

Besides celebrating his musical achievements, friends and bandmates applauded Tony’s dignified bravery in the face of the disease. “I cried when I read Tony’s internet posts,” admits Shy bassist Roy Davis. “How could somebody accept their fate without even an ounce of bitterness?”, while former Shy keyboardist Paddy McKenna posted the words: “This one’s for you mate” alongside a YouTube link to David Bowie’s Starman.

Besides an exceptional vocal range, Mills had terrific sense of humour. Referencing his motorcycle tinkering, the evening before he passed, he managed to whisper: ‘I’ve had a good life. I’ve had a GOOD life. I’m just a bit pissed about the bike’.”