Fans of the iconic ’80s synth-pop band A-ha were met with emotional news this week as lead vocalist Morten Harket confirmed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. A-ha announced Morten Harket’s diagnosis on their official website, highlighting the singer known worldwide for his soaring falsetto in Take On Me.
Morten Harket reveals he has Parkinson’s disease
Morten Harket, the frontman of A-ha, publicly revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. The band shared the announcement in an official post on their website, written by longtime biographer Jan Omdahl. The singer shared that he has quietly battled the condition for years, undergoing two brain surgeries to manage its effects.
In the statement, Harket confirmed that he had “no problem accepting the diagnosis.” He also shared that his perspective was inspired by his 94-year-old father’s philosophy: “I use whatever works.” Despite the challenges, Harket maintains a calm and philosophical outlook, acknowledging the difficulty of managing medication, symptoms, and creativity all at once.
According to Jan Omdahl, Harket has been coping with Parkinson’s disease privately, letting only a small circle of close confidants know about his condition. The decision to go public wasn’t easy, especially considering the unpredictable reaction and stress it might bring. Still, Harket felt it was time. “Part of me wanted to reveal it,” he said. “It’s my need for peace and quiet to work that has been stopping me.”
He emphasized that managing the illness is a full-time job. His treatment includes deep brain stimulation (DBS), a complex neurosurgical procedure that helps alleviate symptoms by implanting electrodes in specific brain regions. Harket underwent DBS surgeries in both June and December of 2024, one for each hemisphere of the brain. The procedures, done at the Mayo Clinic, reportedly softened many of his symptoms.
Though he can still drive and appears symptom-free on good days, Harket admits that the disease has clouded his future as a singer. He is uncertain about whether he can or will return to performing. “I don’t feel like singing,” he shared. “For me, that’s a sign. As things stand now, that’s out of the question.”
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on ComingSoon.
