‘I don't know if I'll be able to sing again' – A-ha singer Morten Harket diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
The frontman of the Norwegian synth-pop group, known for their hits including Take On Me and The Sun Always Shines On TV, said he is having issues with his voice due to the condition, which causes parts of the brain to become progressively damaged over many years.
His bandmate Magne Furuholmen has said all future A-ha-related activities 'will of course be tuned to suit Morten's situation'.
Speaking to a biographer for an article on the A-ha website, Harket (65) said: 'I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis. With time I've taken to heart my 94-year-old father's attitude to the way the organism gradually surrenders: 'I use whatever works'.
'Acknowledging the diagnosis wasn't a problem for me: it's my need for peace and quiet to work that has been stopping me. I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline. It's a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and managing its side effects.'
Harket underwent a neurosurgical procedure in which electrodes were implanted deep inside the left side of his brain last June and had a similar procedure on the right side of his brain in December, according to the website article.
These electrodes are connected to a small pacemaker-like device placed under the skin of the upper chest that sends electrical impulses through the electrodes into the brain and this method of treatment is called deep brain stimulation (DBS).
There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, but there are treatments like physiotherapy and medication.
The main symptoms are tremors, slow movement and stiff and inflexible muscles, and Harket also said the condition has affected his voice.
Asked if he can sing at the moment, he said: 'I don't really know. I don't feel like singing, and for me that's a sign.
'I'm broadminded in terms of what I think works; I don't expect to be able to achieve full technical control. The question is whether I can express myself with my voice.
'As things stand now, that's out of the question. But I don't know whether I'll be able to manage it at some point in the future.
'For a few years now I've been working on songs that I've got great belief in, and I feel the lyrics, especially, have something of a different aspect of me in them.
'I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish them for release. Time will tell.'
A-ha formed in Oslo in 1982, comprised of guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, keyboardist Furuholmen and lead singer Harket. The band has had nine top 10 singles in the UK chart and seven top 10 albums.
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