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Morten Harket, the lead singer of A-ha, has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The 65-year-old musician mentioned that he had “no issues” coming to terms with the diagnosis, despite having undergone brain surgery twice.
This information was revealed in an article by Jan Omdahl, biographer of the famous Norwegian synth-pop band, and posted on their official site. In it, Harket—known for his stunning falsetto in hits like “Take On Me“—noted that he has learned to embrace his father’s approach to life with age.
“I’ve adopted my 94-year-old father’s perspective on how the body gradually yields: ‘I utilize whatever works,'” he explained.
Omdahl shared that Harket kept his diagnosis private from most people outside his close circle due to the “unpredictable ramifications” of making it public.
“A part of me wanted to disclose it. While acknowledging the diagnosis was not an issue for me, my desire for tranquility to work has held me back,” Harket expressed. “I am doing my utmost to prevent my body from deteriorating. It is a challenging balancing act between taking medication and managing its side effects.”
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With his diagnosis now public, Harket faces a crucial question from A-ha fans: what does this mean for his singing career?
“The issues with my voice contribute significantly to my uncertainty regarding my creative future,” he told Omdahl. When asked if he can still sing, Harket confessed: “I don’t really know. I lack the desire to sing, and that’s a sign for me.”
He added, “I have an open mind about what works; I don’t expect to achieve complete technical control. The question is if I can convey myself through my voice. Currently, that seems impossible. However, I can’t predict if I’ll manage it in the future.”
Despite this, Omdahl noted that Harket doesn’t view a loss of his singing voice as “a significant tragedy.”
“When I express that my identity isn’t solely tied to being a singer, it’s a heartfelt response. People naturally associate that with me, and I understand,” Harket remarked. “I feel a responsibility toward singing and there are moments when I find it wonderful to perform. Yet, I have other passions that are equally integral to who I am.”
While Harket has come to terms with his condition, Omdahl emphasized that he will have to live with the disease indefinitely. Harket mentioned that medication and brain surgery at the Mayo Clinic in the U.S. have “mitigated the severity of his symptoms.”
Harket initially underwent a neurosurgical procedure known as deep brain stimulation (DBS) in June 2024, followed by a similar successful procedure in December 2024.
“The appropriate electrical signals now reaching Morten’s brain have caused many of his physical symptoms to nearly disappear,” Omdahl noted.
The biographer detailed that on good days, Harket exhibits “almost no signs of the typical physical symptoms of Parkinson’s,” yet he still requires a “continuous effort” to balance medication, signals from the electrodes in his brain, sleep, blood sugar, and mental well-being to mitigate the symptoms.
“This isn’t always successful and resembles a perpetual rollercoaster ride,” Omdahl remarked. “It becomes clear that the stress from discussing the disease and what lies ahead, now that it’s public knowledge, adversely affects him, just as all forms of psychological stress are known to impact those with Parkinson’s.”
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Consequently, the singer isn’t rushing to return to performing. Harket stated that he plans to “listen to the experts” and reassured his fans not to be concerned about him.
“Focus your energy on real issues and know that I am receiving proper care,” he added. “I used to feel uncomfortable about my illness becoming public. Ultimately, it troubles me more to have to shield something that is inherently a private matter by treating it as a secret.”
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