Rocker Morten Harket Opens Up About His Parkinson's Diagnosis
Musician Morten Harket Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease
Got a minute? Let's chat about the legendary Morten Harket, the frontman of the '80s sensation, a-ha. Despite his fame, he's facing a tough battle— Parkinson's disease. But don't fret, ol' lad's a trooper. He's taking it all in stride, thanks to a nifty operation and a bit of wisdom from his old man.
In an intimate sit-down with Norwegian journalist Jan Omdahl, Harket bares his soul about his struggle with Parkinson's, shedding light on his journey for the first time. At a ripening 65, the reserved Norwegian, perhaps more thinker than pop star, embraces his diagnosis with an air of acceptance.
The Wobble in His Vocal Cords
What's got fans worrying though? His legendary pipes, that made tunes like "Take On Me" and "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." immortal, are now affected by the disease. "Can't hit those notes like I used to," Harket confessed candidly. treatment with dopamine preparations is a double-edged sword. Without them, his voice falters, but with them, other Parkinson's symptoms flare up.
State-of-the-art Treatment
But Harket isn't one to back down. Thanks to the connections of his Norwegian neurologist, Dr. Christina Sundal, he scored an invite to the Mayo Clinic in the US. In June 2024, the singer underwent a groundbreaking neurosurgical procedure, where electrodes were planted deep in his brain. These are linked to a pacemaker-style device under the skin, sending electrical pulses to zap away symptoms.
The result? Many of his physical symptoms all but vanished. Harket's already planning a similar operation for the right hemisphere of his brain. "If we tinker with the frequencies and course of those electrodes, we could potentially boost his vocal cords, but we’re not there yet," he explains the technical challenges.
The Daily Highs and Lows
Life with Parkinson's is a real roller coaster. "It's like I’m on some never-ending ride," Harket remarks about his daily challenges. The disease not only affects his physical abilities but also his sleep and overall health. On tough days, he seeks solace at his summer retreat on the Norwegian coast.
A Secret Battle
Surprisingly, Harket kept his diagnosis under wraps for quite some time. "You're witnessing me at my worst right now," he admits during the interview. The fear of fan reactions and performance concerns played a part in this.
Fans worldwide, be at ease! Harket's message to his adoring public is clear: "Chill, folks! Figure out who you wanna be—it's a brand-new day to redefine yourself. Be kind to Mother Nature and take care of this blue planet we call home."
Now you're all caught up. Parkinson's is a tough cookie, but with advancements in treatment and research, there's hope on the horizon for those battling the condition.
- I'm not going to be able to do this anymore: Referring to his struggles with hitting the same notes he used to in his legendary vocal performances due to Parkinson's disease affecting his vocal cords.
- Science and medical-conditions: In discussing his treatment at the Mayo Clinic, where he underwent a groundbreaking neurosurgical procedure involving electrodes being planted deep in his brain to relieve symptoms.
- Mental-health, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, neurological-disorders: Alluding to Harket's overall struggle with Parkinson's disease, which not only impacts his physical abilities, but also affects his sleep, overall health, and orchestrating a strategy to potentially boost his vocal cords with further technological advancements.
