“Know that I am being taken care of,” the a-ha frontman says in band statement.
It has been revealed that Morten Harket, the frontman with a-ha, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“I’ve got no problem accepting the diagnosis,” he said in a statement on the band’s official website. “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’.”
The news, relayed by a-ha’s biographer Jan Omdahl (author of The Swing Of Things), had remained private with only a few people in his immediate circle aware of his condition.
“Part of me wanted to reveal it,” continued Morten in the statement. “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.”
The singer admitted that navigating general day-to-day life and social engagements while taking his medication and managing the side effects has proved a difficult balancing act.
Picture credit: Stian Andersen
Best Possible Care
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement. It occurs when nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra become damaged or die, leading to a reduction in dopamine – a chemical that helps control movement. As the disease advances, it can also impact speech, mood, and cognitive function. While there is no cure, medications and therapies can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Morten will have to live with Parkinson’s disease for the rest of his life, but he is receiving treatment at the Mayo Clinic in the United States which has helped with his symptoms.
According to the a-ha website statement, Morten underwent a neurosurgical procedure in June 2024 when electrodes were implanted inside the left side of his brain. Omdahl explained how these 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.”
This deep brain stimulation (DBS), which Morten received, is among the most advanced procedures in neurology, and the treatment has so far achieved its goal. With many of Harket’s physical symptoms cleared, he underwent a similar operation in December 2024 on the right side of his brain.
“I Am Being Taken Care Of”
However, Harket has expressed fears regarding his vocal ability and whether he will be able to perform or not in the future. The singer said: “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.”
In an additional message to fans, Morten said: “Don’t worry about me. Spend your energy and effort addressing real problems, and know that I am being taken care of.”
Classic Pop would like to express its heartfelt best wishes to Morten as he manages his diagnosis.
Read the full statement here
Featured picture credit: Stian Andersen
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