Latest news with #HuntingHighandLow
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- 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.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
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
New York Times
a day ago
- Health
- New York Times
Morten Harket, a-ha's Lead Singer, Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis
Morten Harket, the lead singer of the Norwegian synth-pop band a-ha, best known for its 1985 hit single 'Take on Me,' said Wednesday that he had Parkinson's disease. Harket, 65, revealed his illness in an interview with Jan Omdahl, a-ha's biographer, on the band's website. Harket did not say when he received the diagnosis. 'I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis,' he said. '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.'' His announcement comes days after the 40th anniversary of the release of a-ha's first album, 'Hunting High and Low,' on June 1, 1985. The first single from the album, 'Take on Me,' became a global hit that year, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States on the basis of the song's infectious synthesizer hook and innovative video that mixed animation with live action. In the interview, Harket said he took medicine to manage his symptoms. Last June, he traveled to the United States, where surgeons at the Mayo Clinic implanted, inside the left side of his brain, electrodes that receive electrical impulses from a small pacemaker-like device in his upper chest. He underwent the same procedure in December for the right side of his brain. The treatment, known as deep brain simulation, is an established treatment for Parkinson's. Omdahl writes that the treatment has helped keep Harket's symptoms in check. Still, problems with his voice 'are one of many grounds for uncertainty about my creative future,' he said. The dopamine supplements that he takes affect his voice, but his underlying symptoms become more pronounced if he doesn't take them, he said. Parkinson's is a progressive and incurable disease that affects the central nervous system and causes tremors, muscle stiffness, impaired balance and other symptoms. More than 10 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with Parkinson's, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. Harket, who has released six solo albums, said he has worked on songs in recent years. A-ha formed in Oslo in 1982. Harket and his two bandmates, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, spent their early days playing in London before they eventually landed a contract with Warner Bros. Though a-ha is largely known as a one-hit wonder in the United States for 'Take On Me,' its second single, 'The Sun Always Shines on TV,' cracked the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1985. The band went on to sell millions of copies of its albums worldwide, and has performed before audiences in 38 countries. Its most recent studio album, 'True North,' was issued in 2022.
Japan Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
A-ha front man Morten Harket diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
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. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
90s Synth-Pop Band Frontman Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis
90s Synth-Pop Band Frontman Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis originally appeared on Parade. A-ha's lead singer, Morten Harket, has just revealed to fans that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease — a brain disorder that affects movement, caused by the loss of nerve cells that produce dopamine. In a statement posted on the band's official website on Wednesday, June 4, the Norwegian singer, 65, shared that he has had multiple brain surgeries and is actively managing his symptoms. The website first reads, 'This isn't the sort of news anyone wants to deliver to the world, but here it is: Morten has Parkinson's disease.' Following the announcement, Harket reflected on his diagnosis, saying, 'I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis. Over time, I've taken to heart my 94-year-old father's attitude toward the gradual changes of the body: 'I use whatever works.'' At first, the singer explained, he kept his diagnosis private, but has since decided to share it openly with his followers. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 'Part of me wanted to share this. Like I said, accepting the diagnosis wasn't difficult for me; it's my need for peace and quiet to focus on my work that held me back,' he explained. 'I'm doing my best to prevent my body from declining. It's a challenging balance between taking medication and managing its side effects,' Harket added. "There's a lot to consider when trying to mimic the body's natural way of handling complex movements, social interactions, and everyday life in general.' After his diagnosis, Harket detailed his treatment journey, revealing that he underwent a neurosurgical procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS) in June 2024, which significantly relieved many of his physical symptoms. He also had another successful DBS procedure on the right side of his brain in December 2024. However, Harket noted that Parkinson's has affected his voice. 'Problems with my voice are one of the many uncertainties regarding my creative future.' He shared, '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 open-minded about what works; I don't expect to have full technical control. The real question is whether I can express myself with my voice. Right now, that seems unlikely. But I don't know if I'll be able to manage it in the future.' A-ha was formed in 1982 by Harket alongside Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen. The band quickly rose to fame in 1985 with their debut album Hunting High and Low. The beloved album featured hit songs like 'Take On Me' and 'The Sun Always Shines on TV.' 90s Synth-Pop Band Frontman Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis first appeared on Parade on Jun 4, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
