A-ha’s Morten Harket Opens Up About Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Vintage synth-pop vibes just got a harsh reality check as A-ha frontman Morten Harket reveals he’s been living with Parkinson’s disease. Forget nostalgia trips—this is the kind of plot twist nobody asked for. In a candid May 2024 sit-down with People Magazine, the 64-year-old Norwegian icon disclosed he received the life-altering diagnosis two years ago but held off on sharing it publicly until now. Cue the collective gasp and empathetic head nods from fans worldwide.
Harket, best known for soaring falsetto lines in “Take On Me,” admitted the tremors began subtly—little niggles in his fingers, the occasional stiffness in his limbs. “I thought it was just aging,” he quipped, though halfway through the interview it became clear he wasn’t joking. According to The Guardian, he first noticed symptoms in late 2021 while rehearsing for a charity gig in Oslo. By spring 2022, tests confirmed what he’d feared: early-onset Parkinson’s.
Never one to wallow, Harket stressed that music remains his lifeline. He’s been working with neurologists in London and Oslo, experimenting with medication and physiotherapy to stave off the worst. And while doom-and-gloom headlines might predict the end of his touring days, he insists he’s not letting the diagnosis cancel any future shows. Upcoming fall dates in Europe are still on—and if anything changes, his camp promises to give fans a proper heads-up.
Of course, social media has erupted with #StayStrongMorten and supportive GIFs of galloping stick figures. You might roll your eyes at the hashtag brigade, but even cynics must admit it’s nice to see genuine outpourings of love. Still, don’t expect Hallmark-level sentimentality from Harket. He joked about dodging paparazzi who now circle him at grocery stores, as if shaking hands had become headline material.
This revelation joins a growing list of ’80s legends confronting modern ailments—proof that rock-star glamour and human fragility aren’t mutually exclusive. Fans wondering what this means for A-ha’s legacy can rest easy: the band’s iconic catalog isn’t going anywhere, and Harket’s voice, though now tempered by a medical reality, still commands the high notes.
So there you have it—an ’80s lifer swapping Jordan shorts for neuro-checkups. And that’s today’s dose of reality. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, The Guardian
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
