Ring a Ring o' Roses: How A-ha's Singer Faces Parkinson's
When the exchange of wall decorations occurred
Column on Pop Culture by Verena Maria Dittrich
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Ah, the good old days. Endless summers, mixtapes, and a certain voice reverberating through the airwaves. Morten Harket, the lead singer of the Norwegian band A-ha, was more than just a musician; he was an icon. Now, after decades of rule, his reign faces a new adversary: Parkinson's.
Remember those times when we'd excitingly plaster our lockers with posters of our favorite pop stars? Well, that kid who swapped their Falco pic for an A-ha poster? Me. And yeah, I never regretted that trade.
As the years pass (and they do with dizzying speed), we find ourselves reminiscing about the past, wondering how we wound up just... here. Our lives are a whirlwind of routines and familiar tracks, with far fewer moments of discovery. But it's those rare stoppoints - when we choose to look back - that make us truly appreciate the passage of time.
In the '80s, it was all about A-ha. Harket's voice and the band's unique sound captured an entire decade, much like the band did with that girl's heart. Their hits, like "Take on Me," "Hunting High and Low," and "The Sun Always Shines on TV," are etched into the memory banks of my adolescence, transforming my room walls into a collage of starry posters.
Flash forward to today, and it's a very different story. Harket, now 65, has gone public with his Parkinson's diagnosis, which he's been living with for over a year[1][2]. The iconic singer explains that he's been treating the disease at the Mayo Clinic with medicines and advanced brain surgery, including implanting electrodes in his brain last year[1][2]. However, as with many victims of the condition, there's no escaping its grasp.
The prognosis for Harket is, much like his voice, unequivocal. The disease has introduced a cloud of uncertainty regarding his future as a singer. His unparalleled voice, adored by millions, may no longer resonate in the way it once did. Harket says, "I don't feel like singing, and that's a sign for me."[1]
Harket doesn't pretend to be more than he is. He's never sought the limelight, yet he's managed to touch millions with just a note. His honesty in the face of adversity is both refreshing and inspiring. His bandmate Magne Furuholmen echoed sentiments of sorrow and reminiscence in an Instagram post, stating, "A sad day in the a-ha world."[1]
In a time when reality TV stars and social media sensations command center stage, it's almost anachronistic to encounter such unassuming sincerity. Harket's approach to his condition is a testament to his timeless persona. He's reserved, genuine, and unafraid to face his daunting reality.
Sources:
[1] Reuters (2023). "Morten Harket Announces Parkinson's Diagnosis, Uncertain Future"
[2] Variety (2023). "A-ha Singer Morten Harket Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease"
[3] TIME (2023). "How Morten Harket's Parkinson's Diagnosis Affects His Singing Career"
- Despite his diagnosis with Parkinson's, Morten Harket, the iconic singer of A-ha, continues to seek treatments, such as advanced brain surgeries at the Mayo Clinic.
- In the world of health-and-wellness, mental health is an essential aspect, and celebrity figures like Morten Harket, who valiantly shares his journey with Parkinson's, can shed light on this critical domain, especially in the aging population.
- Just as tunes from A-ha brought the '80s to life, science and technology today can offer glimpses of hope, such as medicines and treatments for Parkinson's disease that enable patients to manage their conditions more effectively.
- A-ha's iconic Take on Me and other chart-topping hits remind us all, amid the fast-paced landscape of entertainment and pop-culture, that our memories are vibrant tapestries, woven with the threads of our favorite music, moments, and icons like Morten Harket, who remind us of the shared humanity that transcends time.
