A-ha frontman Morten Harket diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
A-ha frontman Morten Harket has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
The 65-year-old has been lead singer of the Norwegian band since it was founded in 1982 - and sung the track "Take On Me" which remains one of the most popular songs of the 1980s.
In a statement on the band's website, and confirmed by record label Sony Music, Harket 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 underwent neurological procedures to have electrodes implanted inside his brain last year 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" featuring "Take On Me" and the hit "The Sun Always Shines on TV".
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Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
A-ha frontman Morten Harket, 65, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and doesn't know if he can sing anymore as band writes 'he has been battling his own body' in recent years
A-ha frontman Morten Harket has revealed he has Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a progressive brain disorder caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. In a statement on the band's website, Morten, 65, said he had undergone several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease, but admitted he had been 'battling his own body' in recent years. It read: 'This isn't the sort of news anyone wants to deliver to the world, but here it is: Morten has Parkinson's disease.' Morten also said he had initially kept the degenerative condition private but has now decided to tell fans and didn't know if he could sing or even perform again. He 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" From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Part of me wanted to reveal it. Like I said, 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. 'There's so much to weigh up when you're emulating the masterful way the body handles every complex movement, or social matters and invitations, or day-to-day life in general.' He told the band's biographer Jan Omdahl that he has been making the most of advanced technology in treating the disease and has been using a method called deep brain stimulation. His neurologist in Norway is Dr Christina Sundal at NeuroClinic Norway, and she was previously a research fellow with the Parkinson's team at the Mayo Clinic. He revealed he underwent a neurosurgical procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS) in June 2024 in which electrodes were implanted into the left side of his brain and he responded well and many of his physical symptoms practically vanished. In December 2024 he underwent a similar procedure on the right side of his brain, which was also successful. His voice has changed with Parkinson's and told Jan: The problems with my voice are one of many grounds for uncertainty about my creative future.' He said: 'I don't really know [if I can sing anymore]. 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.' Morten urged fans not to worry, telling them he is now 'going to listen to the professionals'. 'Spend your effort addressing real problems,' he said, 'and know that I am being taken care of. 'Be good servants to nature, the very basis of our existence, and care for the environment while it is still possible to do so. 'Don't worry about me. Find out who you want to be - a process than can be new each and every day.' The singer too revealed that he has been writing lyrics since his diagnosis, but that he's 'not sure' if he'll be able to finish and release them. Parkinson's can affect those diagnosed both physically and mentally. It primarily causes trouble to the brain, parts of which become progressively damaged over years with the disease. It usually affects those over 50, with a number of celebrities ultimately suffering with the disease in the past. Ozzy Osborne, Neil Diamond and Billy Connolly are all currently living with Parkinson's while Muhammad Ali was famously diagnosed just three years after the end of his illustrious boxing career. Doctors said of the heavyweight's illness following his 2016 death: 'Muhammad Ali's disease course, from his late 30s until his death at age 74 years, was chronic and progressive. 'He manifested fatigue hypophonia, bradykinesia, and a masked face, as well as many of the visible motor symptoms of Parkinons's disease.' As evidenced in the Ali case, the disease can in rare cases affect those under the age of 40. Famous US actor Michael J. Fox, 63, was diagnosed at just 29 years old in 1991. The Back To The Future star has spent much of the last 25 years trying to advance scientific research into the disease with his charity, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. 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. While world-renowned for their success in the 1980s, A-ha continued to release music throughout the 2000s with their latest work including albums such as Memorial Beach, Lifelines and Cast in Steel. Morten has six children, three with his former wife Camilla Malmquist Harket, a daughter with former girlfriend Anne Mette Undlien and another daughter with current partner Inez Andersson.
Daily Mail
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The Sun
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Gynaecologist who raped dozens of patients & secretly filmed examinations for almost 20 years is jailed in Norway
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