Morten Harket reveals Parkinson’s diagnosis

a-ha frontman Morten Harket has revealed that he has Parkinson’s disease.

The 65-year old singer and songwriter 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’”.

Morten has known about this for a while, saying “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. 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.”

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain, and it affects areas of the midbrain that control movement and manage communication between neurons in the brain and muscles. Harket has been receiving treatment at the Mayo Clinic in the United States which has “led to a dramatic improvement in his symptoms” according to a statement posted on the a-ha’s website.

A side effect of this treatment is that it impacts Morten’s voice. He doesn’t know if he’ll be able to sing again or even whether he wants to sing again.

When asked about his concerned fans, Morten says: “Don’t worry about me. Find out who you want to be – a process that can be new each and every day. Be good servants of nature, the very basis of our existence, and care for the environment while it is still possible to do so. Spend your energy and effort addressing real problems, and know that I am being taken care of.”

a-ha have released 11 studio albums since 1985 and Morten has put out six solo albums, the last being 2014’s Brother. SDE wishes him the best in his ongoing treatment.

A more detailed account of Morten Harket’s condition and his treatment can be found on the a-ha website.