Morten Harket, a-ha Frontman, Battles Parkinson's with Dignity
Headline: Health Condition of the Leading Figure Revealed: Parkinson's Disease Diagnosed - Lead Singer Diagnosed with Parkinson's
Get ready for a candid confession from one of the 80s most iconic voices: Morten Harket, the man behind a-ha's legendary tunes like "Take On Me" and "The Sun Always Shines on T.V.",Owns up to living with Parkinson's disease. In a no-holds-barred interview with Norwegian journalist Jan Omdahl, Harket, now 65, delves deep into his private struggle for the first time.
"I'm sucker-punched but there's no room for self-pity here," Harket utters with surprising fortitude. Channeling his stoic 94-year-old father's outlook - he's always been about thinking over pop starring - Harket embraces his new reality: "I work with what the organism gives me."
A Legend's Vocal Struggle
Guess how fans will likely be shaken: The multimillion-selling melodies Harket created are woven in our global collective memory. Now, this disease threatens his distinctive voice. "The way I used to sing ain't coming back, mate," Harket candidly admits.
Parkinson's disease hijacks the brain's dopamine-producing cells, sapping control over movement and communication between neurons. It's the world's most common neurological disorder, impacting over ten million people worldwide[1].
Tech's Ray of Hope
Yet, Harket clings to hope. Thanks to the networking of his Norwegian neurologist, Dr. Christina Sundal, and the Mayo Clinic in the US, Harket now benefits from cutting-edge treatments. In June 2024, he underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS), a neurosurgical procedure where electrodes were implanted deep into his brain to send electrical impulses[2]. The procedure has been a game-changer for Harket, drastically reducing his physical symptoms, leading him to plan a similar operation for the right side of his brain[2].
"Optimizing frequencies and direction can help alleviate vocal symptoms, but we're not there just yet," Harket shares the current technical challenges[2].
Parkinson's: A Dance Between Hope and reality
Life with Parkinson's requires a delicate balancing act. "It's like being on a never-ending roller coaster," Harket describes the constant ebb and flow[2]. The disease impacts far more than just motor skills; it affects sleep, overall well-being, and even self-image. Bad days often find him holing up at his summer house on the Norwegian coast.
Life in the Shadows
In contrast to many other Parkinson's sufferers - from Muhammad Ali to Michael J. Fox - Harket kept his diagnosis under wraps for a long time. "You're watching me at my worst," he confesses during the interview. Fearing fans' reactions and concerned about his image as a performer played a role in his decision[2].
A Message to the Fans
For the millions who worship Harket's music around the globe, he offers a thoughtful message: "Worry not about me. Rediscover who you are every day. Be guardians of nature and cherish this blue planet while you can."
[1] Parkinson's disease: facts and statistics. (2019, November 18). Parkinson's Foundation. https://www.parkinson.org/what-is-parkinsons/facts-and-statistics[2] Frisk, A. (2023, March 31). Morten Harket reveals his Parkinson's battle: 'I'm working with what the organism gives me.' Aftonbladet. https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesliv/musik/a-ha/e8aa16cb-ff29-4fb6-b5af-a044c05f3ea7/morten-harket-avslor-sin-parkinsons-kamp-fgar-hvordan-hans-famli-har-reageret-pa-diagnosen.html
- Despite the looming threat to his distinctive voice, Morten Harket faces his Parkinson's disease with a positive outlook, drawing strength from the cutting-edge treatments available in neuroscience.
- While Parkinson's impacts more than just motor skills, with effects on sleep, overall well-being, and self-image, Harket advises others to focus on self-discovery and the preservation of our planet.
- Departing from other celebrities with Parkinson's, Morten Harket kept his diagnosis a secret for a long time, fearing the reactions of his fans and the implications for his image as a performer.
- As a testament to his resilience, Morten Harket, the frontman of a-ha, continues to work diligently and aim for further improvements in his health-and-wellness and mental-health, inspiring fans in the entertainment and pop-culture spheres with his courage.
