Morten Harket

2.1. Childhood and Education

Morten Harket was born in Kongsberg, Norway, and grew up in Asker, in the southern part of the country. He is the son of Reidar Harket, a chief physician at a hospital, and Henny Harket, an economics teacher. He has four siblings: Gunvald, Håkon, Ingunn, and Kjetil. From a young age, Harket showed an inclination towards music, beginning to write music and play piano at the age of four. Despite taking piano lessons, he admitted to lacking the discipline required for consistent practice.

2.2. Early Musical Beginnings

Harket's musical journey was shaped by diverse influences including Uriah Heep, Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Johnny Cash, Simon & Garfunkel, David Bowie, and James Brown. Before joining A-ha, Harket was active in the Oslo club scene, where he gained experience as the lead singer for the blues band Souldier Blue. This early experience in soul and blues music contributed to his formative musical development before he co-founded A-ha in 1982.

3.1. Activities with A-ha

Harket's most prominent work has been with A-ha, a band that achieved global recognition and enduring popularity.

3.1.4. Order of St. Olav

On 6 November 2012, Morten Harket, along with Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, was appointed a Knight First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. This prestigious honor is awarded for distinguished services to Norway and humanity, recognizing A-ha's significant contributions to Norwegian music and their international success.

3.2. Solo Activities

In addition to his work with A-ha, Morten Harket has pursued a substantial solo career. After A-ha's hiatus in 1994, Harket embarked on solo endeavors, releasing six studio albums. His solo album, Letter from Egypt, was released on 28 May 2008, through Universal Records Germany. In March 2012, following A-ha's 2010 disbandment, he released his album, Out of My Hands, in Norway, Germany, and the UK. He then embarked on a world tour across Europe and South America. On his birthday, 14 September, a concert and A-ha fan party were held in Oslo, drawing fans from around the world. His sixth solo album, Brother, followed in April 2014.

One of his solo albums, Wild Seed, released in 1995, achieved significant commercial success, particularly in Norway and other Nordic countries. This album garnered him major accolades, including the "Spellemann Award"-Norway's equivalent of the Grammy Awards-in key categories such as Best Song, Best Album, and Male Solo Artist for the 1995 ceremony.

3.3. Collaborations and Other Performances

Morten Harket has engaged in numerous collaborative projects and made various public appearances throughout his career, extending beyond his work with A-ha and his solo albums.

He contributed to the soundtrack of the 1993 film Coneheads with a cover of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Crewe/Gaudio. He also collaborated on the main theme of A Name is a Name (2009), a film about Macedonia by Sigurjon Einarsson. Harket has performed and recorded with various artists, including the Pakistani rock band Junoon, on their songs "Piya" and "Pyar Hai Zindagi," and with Hayley Westenra on "Children First." His collaborations also extend to other Scandinavian artists such as Bjørn Eidsvåg, Silje Nergaard, Oslo Gospel Choir, Espen Lind, Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz, and Carola Häggkvist. Additionally, he provided vocals for the Jan Bang single "Merciful Waters," featured on the group's 1989 debut album Frozen Feelings.

Harket's notable appearances include co-presenting the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo alongside TV presenter Ingvild Bryn. In 2013, he performed a duet version of "Wind of Change" with Klaus Meine of Scorpions at a Scorpions concert in Athens, Greece, for an MTV Unplugged album. The same year, Harket made a surprise appearance at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand, joining Christina Aguilera and Pitbull during their performance of "Feel This Moment", which famously samples A-ha's "Take On Me".

He also performed the official UNICEF song "Children First" (a duet with Hayley Westenra) at the H.C. Andersen jubilee in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2005. In January 2021, Harket participated in the second series of the British version of The Masked Singer as the Viking. He became the first contestant in the franchise's history to perform his own song when he sang "Take On Me" in episode five, ultimately finishing in seventh place.

3.4. Vocal Style and Range

Morten Harket is widely recognized for his distinctive vocal characteristics, particularly his reported vocal range. Some sources have claimed that his vocal range spans five octaves, though Harket himself stated in 2009 that he had "never counted" it.

His voice has received critical acclaim, with Sylvia Patterson of NME describing his falsetto as "the greatest falsetto in the history of pop music EVER...". Entertainment Weekly characterized his voice as capable of an "unyielding groan". Gerry Kitchingham, a sound engineer who worked with A-ha on "Take On Me", lauded Harket as "an excellent singer" possessing an "incredibly strong falsetto and almost choir-boyish clarity." His ability to transition seamlessly from baritone to a high-pitched falsetto is a signature element of his expressive vocal style.

4.1. Family and Relationships

Morten Harket was married to Camilla Malmquist Harket from January 27, 1989, until their divorce on March 24, 1998, with whom he has three children. He also has a daughter from a relationship with former girlfriend Anne Mette Undlien and another daughter with Inez Andersson, who is his current partner. His eldest daughter, Tomine Harket, has followed in his footsteps as a singer, notably featuring on Alan Walker's song "Darkside".

4.2. Hobbies and Interests

Outside of music, Harket's personal interests include drawing, painting, and cars. He is also a keen football fan and, along with fellow A-ha band member Magne Furuholmen, is a supporter of Stoke City, an English football team. While maintaining his primary residence in Norway, he also holds a residence in London.

7.1. Solo Albums

7.2. Solo Singles

8.1. Public and Critical Evaluation

Morten Harket is widely regarded for his significant contributions to both Norwegian and international music. His vocal talent, characterized by a powerful falsetto and extensive range, has consistently garnered critical acclaim and made him a recognizable voice in pop music. The commercial success of A-ha's albums, particularly their debut, and the enduring popularity of songs like "Take On Me," underscore his influence. His solo career further demonstrated his artistic versatility and ability to connect with audiences independently, as evidenced by the critical and commercial success of albums like Wild Seed, which earned him multiple Spellemann Awards. Beyond music, Harket's participation in events such as the Nobel Peace Prize concert and his role as a UNICEF advocate reflect a commitment to broader social and cultural engagement.

8.2. Controversies

Morten Harket's personal life has occasionally drawn public attention. His marriage to Camilla Malmquist Harket, which lasted from 1989 to 1998, ended in divorce. Reports and speculation circulated in the media regarding a rumored relationship with Lene Nystrøm, the lead vocalist of the band Aqua, around the time of his divorce. However, some sources characterized these reports as media fabrications or manipulative tactics by journalists rather than confirmed facts about the cause of the divorce.