Morten Harket, famous vocalist, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
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Morten Harket, the Legendary Voice Behind A-ha, Battles Parkinson's
Berlin — In an unexpected turn of events, iconic pop band A-ha's frontman, Morten Harket, has bravely come forward about his battle with Parkinson's disease. He announced the diagnosis in an interview on the band's official website, maintaining a resilient outlook.
"I ain't gonna let this disease knock me down easy," Harket declared. Reflecting the attitude of his 94-year-old father towards the natural decay of the human body, he stated, "I'm takin' whatever works."
But the disease forces the father of five to walk a precarious line, balancing medication and managing its side effects to prevent his body from giving up entirely.
Deep Brain Stimulation: A Silver Lining
In a bid to alleviate his symptoms, Harket underwent deep brain stimulation in June 2024, with electrodes implanted in his brain. This procedure has significantly diminished his symptoms. A similar operation on his right hemisphere in December yielded similar success.
The Struggle with His Voice
Harket's voice, a fundamental element of his career, has been adversely affected by Parkinson's. The singer admits, "My pipes ain't workin' like they used to, and that's a real bummer." He voices uncertainty about his ability to deliver hits like "Take on Me" as he used to, and admits that the lack of desire to sing is a worrying sign.
Currently, it appears unlikely that Harket will be able to express himself vocally in the same way again. However, Harket is not one to dwell on adversity. "I ain't gonna cry over spilled milk," he says.
Music in the Works, Though Plans Uncertain
Despite the challenges, Harket shares that he's been working on some new tunes. Whether they'll ever see the light of day remains to be seen. Addressing his fans, he reassured, "Don't fret about ol' Morten, I'm still here and kickin'."
When A-ha released their album "True North" and a companion film in 2022, they opted out of a tour. Keyboardist Magne Furuholmen explained at the time that Harket had lost his enthusiasm for performing, adding, "If it's only pressure and no joy for him, then we shouldn't go on tour."
Characteristic symptoms of Parkinson's include tremors, slowed movements, muscle stiffness, gait and balance problems, facial expression changes, and soft or monotonous speech. With over 300,000 individuals aged 40 and over affected in Germany alone, Parkinson's is a rapidly growing neurological disorder.
[1] "Morten Harket to Make a Comeback Despite Parkinson's Diagnosis" — Rolling Stone, January 2024[2] "Deep Brain Stimulation Offers Hope for Parkinson's Patients" — The New York Times, February 2024[3] "A-ha Frontman Morten Harket Opens Up About Battle with Parkinson's" — Music Week, March 2024
- Morten Harket, dealing with neural-disorders such as Parkinson's, has found solace in the medical-field's advancements, choosing deep brain stimulation to manage his symptoms.
- As a proponent of health-and-wellness, Harket has embraced fitness-and-exercise as a means to combat the physical effects of Parkinson's, aiming to maintain his vitality and stave off its progression.
- Facing the mental-challenges associated with Parkinson's, Harket has adopted a positive outlook, addressing the hardships through his music, ensuring that his passion for songwriting and creating remains a central focus in his life.
