It's the first time Morten Harket, 65, talks about his illness. Until now, only a small inner circle has known that the singer has been living with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease for several years.
Part of me has wanted to tell it. Accepting the disease has not been a problem. It's my need for peace and quiet to be able to work that has hindered me, says Harket.
He adds that he's doing his best to try to prevent his condition from deteriorating.
It's a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and handling the side effects.
Can't sing
A-ha is one of Norway's largest pop exports of all time. The band broke through in 1985 with the monster hit "Take on me". The latest album came in 2022, but there is a risk that his career as a singer is now over for Morten Harket.
The disease has had a major impact on his ability to perform. Can he sing at all, asks the interviewer?
I honestly don't know. I don't feel like singing and for me, it's a clear sign.
The question is whether I can EXPRESS myself with my voice. As it looks now, it's excluded.
Unoperated electrodes
Those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease are mainly affected by tremors, stiff muscles, and impaired mobility. Many who get the disease also develop dementia. It's not possible to cure Parkinson's, but there are treatments that alleviate the symptoms.
Morten Harket tells that he got electrodes implanted in his chest in June last year, connected to a pacemaker that can send signals to the brain, which alleviates the physical symptoms.
Morten Harket says that he is aware that he will be overwhelmed with support and greetings from fans, but also from people who want to suggest alternative treatments.
He thanks them for that.
I realize that there are many experts and alternative theories, but I must listen to the experts I have available to me, who take care of me and keep track of the development within research. I can't handle anything else.
