Sherrill Eustace Milnes was born in Downer's Grove, Illinois, on January 10, 1935 to a dairy farmer and his wife. During his childhood, Milnes developed strong musical talents: in addition to possessing a remarkable voice, he was proficient on the piano, violin, viola, double bass, clarinet, and tuba. Although his interests did not always lean towards opera, he spent many hours singing to his father's cows, and once was found on a tractor practicing an operatic laugh.

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