A-ha singer Morten Harket reveals Parkinson's diagnosis, says future performances uncertain
OSLO, June 5 — Morten Harket, the lead singer of Norwegian band A-ha, whose 'Take On Me' track remains one of the most popular songs from the 1980s, said yesterday that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
In a statement on the band's website, and confirmed by record label Sony Music, Harket, 65, said he had undergone several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease.
Parkinson's causes deterioration in the brain's nervous system, leading to tremors and other symptoms that can become progressively worse over time. The disease can be treated with surgery and medication, but there is no cure.
Harket said he last year underwent neurological procedures to have electrodes implanted inside his brain and that this had reduced the symptoms.
Known for the wide range of his voice, Harket said he did not know if he would be able to perform again.
'I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis,' he said, adding that it was difficult to balance medication and managing side effects of the treatment.
'I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline,' Harket said.
Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, A-ha saw a global breakthrough in 1985 with their debut album 'Hunting High and Low' which yielded several hits such as 'Take On Me' and 'The Sun Always Shines on TV'.
'Take On Me' was recently featured in the second season of HBO's hit series 'The Last of Us' when the main character Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, performed an acoustic version of the song. — Reuters
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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
#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.
The Star
2 days ago
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A-ha frontman Morten Harket diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
Morten Harket, in an interview published on the band's website on Wednesday, said he was diagnosed several years ago and has come to terms with the neurological disease. Photo: Reuters Morten Harket, the lead singer of Norwegian band A-ha, whose Take On Me track remains one of the most popular songs from the 1980s, said on Wednesday that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In a statement on the band's website, and confirmed by record label Sony Music, Harket, 65, said he had undergone several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease. Parkinson's causes deterioration in the brain's nervous system, leading to tremors and other symptoms that can become progressively worse over time. The disease can be treated with surgery and medication, but there is no cure. Harket said he last year underwent neurological procedures to have electrodes implanted inside his brain and that this had reduced the symptoms. Known for the wide range of his voice, Harket said he did not know if he would be able to perform again. "I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis," he said, adding that it was difficult to balance medication and managing side effects of the treatment. "I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline," Harket said. Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, A-ha saw a global breakthrough in 1985 with their debut album Hunting High And Low which yielded several hits such as Take On Me and The Sun Always Shines On TV . Take On Me was recently featured in the second season of HBO's hit series The Last Of Us when the main character Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, performed an acoustic version of the song. – Reuters
Malay Mail
2 days ago
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A-ha singer Morten Harket reveals Parkinson's diagnosis, says future performances uncertain
OSLO, June 5 — Morten Harket, the lead singer of Norwegian band A-ha, whose 'Take On Me' track remains one of the most popular songs from the 1980s, said yesterday that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In a statement on the band's website, and confirmed by record label Sony Music, Harket, 65, said he had undergone several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease. Parkinson's causes deterioration in the brain's nervous system, leading to tremors and other symptoms that can become progressively worse over time. The disease can be treated with surgery and medication, but there is no cure. Harket said he last year underwent neurological procedures to have electrodes implanted inside his brain and that this had reduced the symptoms. Known for the wide range of his voice, Harket said he did not know if he would be able to perform again. 'I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis,' he said, adding that it was difficult to balance medication and managing side effects of the treatment. 'I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline,' Harket said. Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, A-ha saw a global breakthrough in 1985 with their debut album 'Hunting High and Low' which yielded several hits such as 'Take On Me' and 'The Sun Always Shines on TV'. 'Take On Me' was recently featured in the second season of HBO's hit series 'The Last of Us' when the main character Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, performed an acoustic version of the song. — Reuters
