A-ha frontman Morten Harket has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The iconic Norwegian eighties group, famed for their 1985 hit Take On Me, announced the 65-year-old’s diagnosis on Wednesday (June 4). The synth-pop band shared a press release on their website, where it was revealed Morten has been “battling his own body” in recent years.
It read: “You know him as a-ha’s iconic frontman, a divinely gifted singer, reluctant pop star, solo artist, songwriter, eccentric thinker, father of five and a grandfather too, but in recent years Morten Harket has also been a man battling his own body.
“This isn’t the sort of news anyone wants to deliver to the world, but here it is: Morten has Parkinson’s disease.his isn’t the sort of news anyone wants to deliver to the world, but here it is: Morten has Parkinson’s disease.”
(Image: WireImage)
Harket himself opened up about his Parkinson’s diagnosis in the press release, admitting he’s got “no problem” accepting his diagnosis. The singer said he’s trying his best to keep his body from “going into decline” and that it’s tough managing the side effects of the condition and the medication required for it.
He said in the interview with Jan Omdahl, available on A-ha’s website here: “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 continued: “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.
(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“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.”
Asked if he could still sing, he admitted: “I don’t really know. 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.”
When asked what he would like to say to his fans, Morten said: “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.”
According to the NHS, Parkinson’s disease “is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.” Symptoms can include involuntary shaking of parts of the body, slow movement, stiff and inflexible muscles, issues with balance, and memory problems.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
