Morten Harket, the lead singer of Norwegian pop group A-Ha, has revealed he is living with Parkinson’s disease and may not be able to perform publicly again.
The 64-year-old singer, known globally for the 1985 hit “Take on Me,” shared the news in a candid interview published on A-Ha’s official website. In the conversation, Harket disclosed that he had kept the diagnosis private for years, with only a few close friends and family aware of his condition.
“It used to bother me to think about my sickness becoming public knowledge,” Harket said. “In the long run it bothers me more to have to protect something that is strictly a private matter by treating it as a secret.”
While Harket acknowledged his diagnosis was not difficult to accept personally, he said the struggle has been in maintaining a balance between treatment, side effects, and daily functioning. “There’s so much to weigh up when you’re emulating the masterful way the body handles every complex movement,” he explained.
Harket has undergone two neurosurgical procedures known as deep brain stimulation (DBS), first on the left side of his brain in June 2024, followed by a second successful operation on the right side six months later. The surgeries, conducted at the Mayo Clinic, involved implanting electrodes connected to a pacemaker-like device to help control symptoms.
Despite managing to maintain some motor functions—he drove himself to the interview—Harket said his creative future remains uncertain. “The problems with my voice are one of many grounds for uncertainty,” he noted. “I don’t feel like singing, and for me that’s a sign. As things stand now, that’s out of the question.”
A-Ha’s last public performance was at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on July 31, 2022. Since then, the band has not performed live, and no future concerts are listed.
Harket emphasized that he no longer defines himself solely by his musical career. “People associate me with being a singer, and I understand that. But I’ve got other passions too—things that are just as much a part of me.”
He also addressed fans directly, urging them not to worry about his condition. “Find out who you want to be – a process that can be new each and every day,” he said. “Care for the environment while it’s still possible to do so. Spend your energy addressing real problems, and know that I am being taken care of.”
Anticipating a flood of well-intentioned advice, Harket politely asked fans to trust that he is under professional care. “I know there are many opinions and alternative theories,” he said, “but I need to listen to the professionals who are taking care of this with me.”
Related topics:
