#SHOWBIZ: A-ha's Morten Harket underwent several brain surgeries after Parkinson's diagnosis
OSLO: Morten Harket, frontman of the iconic Norwegian band A-ha, best known for their 1980s hit 'Take On Me,' announced yesterday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
In a statement shared on the band's official website and confirmed by Sony Music, Harket, 65, revealed that he has undergone multiple brain surgeries and is currently managing the condition's symptoms.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, often causing tremors and other symptoms that worsen over time.
While treatments such as medication and surgical intervention can alleviate symptoms, there is currently no cure.
The singer disclosed that he had neurological procedures last year to implant electrodes in his brain, a treatment that has helped reduce some of the disease's effects.
Known for his remarkable vocal range, Harket expressed uncertainty about whether he will be able to return to the stage.
"I have no problem accepting the diagnosis," he said, though he acknowledged the difficulty of managing both the medication and its side effects.
"I'm doing everything I can to keep my system from deteriorating."
A-ha was formed in 1982 by Harket, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, and Magne Furuholmen.
The band rose to international fame with their 1985 debut album Hunting High and Low, which featured hits like 'Take On Me' and 'The Sun Always Shines On TV.'
'Take On Me' has enjoyed renewed popularity, most recently appearing in Season 2 of HBO's acclaimed series The Last of Us, where the character Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, performs an acoustic rendition of the song.
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