Latest news with #TheSunAlwaysShinesOnTV
New Straits Times
5 days 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.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘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.
