Posted on 06/05/2025 7:03:13 AM PDT by Red Badger
Morten Harket, best known as the lead singer for the ’80s band A-ha, made a personal announcement this week about his health.
In a statement on Wednesday, he confirmed that he has been battling Parkinson’s Disease for a while and doesn’t know if or when he’ll resume performing.
He went on to elaborate on his attitude and why he chose to share this personal update now, as the Daily Caller reported:
“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’” he said.
Harket explained his decision to come forward about his medical condition.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Harket’s announcement fueled a wide range of supportive comments from fans and well-wishers on social media:
Oh Morten Harket😣the person you are. pic.twitter.com/2qJOpSgdd1
— Ems ⫩ (@godlikeLG) June 4, 2025
Gutting to hear about Morten Harket’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. Here he is singing the best cover of Songbird I’ve ever heard, dressed as a Viking on the Masked Singer pic.twitter.com/0XdovUtdXM
— Katie J Lee (@shinykatie) June 4, 2025
We send our best wishes and thanks to Morten Harket for raising awareness of Parkinson’s by publicly sharing his diagnosis. We’re here to support Morten, and everyone living with Parkinson’s and their loved ones. For anyone needing support, our helpline is here: 0808 800 0303.💙
— Parkinson’s UK (@ParkinsonsUK) June 5, 2025
People provided additional details about Harket’s condition:
Harket said that he underwent advanced brain surgery twice — in June 2024 and December 2024 — at the Mayo Clinic, which “softened the impact” of his symptoms.
However, in addition to his many symptoms, the disease has impacted the singer’s voice. He admitted that he doesn’t really know if he can sing now at all.
“The problems with my voice are one of many grounds for uncertainty about my creative future,” he 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,” he continued. “I see singing as my responsibility, and at certain moments I think it’s absolutely fantastic that I get to do it. But I’ve got other passions too, I have other things that are just as big a part of me, that are just as necessary and true.”
And in case it’s been a while since you’ve seen A-ha’s most iconic video, enjoy it again below:
VIDEO AT LINK........................
Growing old does suck sometimes.
Growing old does suck, but it sure as heck beats the alternative!..................
2.1 Billion views. It was a catchy song and the video really brought Anime to the masses.
2,179,199,552 views
Kind of a one hit wonder group. I have the LP that ‘Take on me’ came out on, and remember the video well. But nothing else on that album really stood out as I recall.
Many thanks to him and his bandmates for providing that and best wishes for him and his circle. d:^)
AIDS?
Too much fudge packin?
Never heard of him or the band, but he has my condolences. My dad died from Parkinsons and it was horrific.
You have to admire his 94-year-old father’s attitude: ‘I use whatever works’” LOLOL. Indeed!
They had several other hits in Europe and also did the theme song for one of the James Bond movies.
Why would you assume that, and why would you post that? The story is about his Parkinson’s diagnosis. The man has 4 children. Something wrong with you.
Nittany
What Bond movie featured A-ha? I think you are thinking of Duran-Duran “View to a Kill”.
The Living Daylights.
They are a fabulous band with many hits. They just didn’t get the credit they deserved here in the US.
So they did. I usually remember Bond themes. But Living Daylights (was that Timothy Dalton?) was kind of a yawner in the Bond series (to me anyway). I guess the theme song didnt leave a big impression either.
I’m sorry to see such a talented artist, or ANYONE for that matter, struck with this disease.
The Living Daylights
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