A-ha singer Morten Harket: Frontmann has Parkinson’s disease

It is a message that nobody wants to hear, but the Morten Harket speaks with remarkable serenity: the legendary A-ha front man suffers from Parkinson’s. The 65-year-old now gives deep insights into his struggle against the disease for the first time.

“I have no problem accepting the diagnosis,” Harket explains in the conversation that was published on the official A-Ha website. Over time, he has adopted the attitude of his 94-year-old father: “I use what the organism makes available to me.” A philosophy that is typical of the reserved Norwegian who has been more and more thinkers than pop star.

What his fans should do the most: Harket’s distinctive voice, the hits like “Take on Me” and “The Sun Always Shines on TV” made immortal, is affected by the disease. “It doesn’t feel like I could still sing,” the musician admits honestly. Treatment with dopamine preparations ensures a dilemma: without medication, his voice becomes weaker, with dopamine other Parkinson’s symptoms.

Parkinson’s disease arises from the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain and affects the areas that control movement and communication between neurons. At least ten million of them are affected worldwide. It is the most common neurological disease in the world.

But Harket doesn’t give up. Thanks to the contacts of his Norwegian neurologist Dr. He received access to the latest treatment for the renowned Mayo Clinic in the United States. In June 2024, the singer underwent a neurosurgical procedure in which electrodes were implanted deep into his brain. These are connected to a pacemaker -like device under the skin that sends electrical impulses.

The result is impressive: Many of his physical symptoms have practically disappeared. Harket is already planning a similar operation for the right brain. “If we set the frequencies and direction of the electrodes, we can also influence the voice region, but we cannot control them yet,” he explains the technical challenges.

Despite medical progress, everyday life with Parkinson’s remains a constant balancing act. “It’s like an endless roller coaster ride,” Harket describes the daily challenges. The disease not only affects its physical skills, but also his sleep and general well -being. On bad days he retires to his summer house on the Norwegian coast.

Harket’s handling of the public is remarkable. Unlike other celebrities with Parkinson’s – from Muhammad Ali to Michael J. Fox – he kept his diagnosis secret for a long time. “You see me in my worst condition,” he admits during the interview. The fear of the reactions of the fans and the concern for his image as a performer played a role.

Harket has an important message for his millions of followers worldwide: “Don’t worry about me. Find out who you want to be – a process that can start again every day. Be good guardian of nature and take care of the environment as long as possible.”