Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris has been placed in a medically induced coma following a critical medical emergency earlier this month, according to Billboard.
Paris, 58, was hospitalized on August 6, shortly before the band was scheduled to take the stage with Lionel Richie at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The show was postponed minutes before it was set to begin. The band cited a medical emergency involving a band member. The San Francisco Fire Department confirmed that crews responded to a report of a cardiac incident at the venue and transported one person to a hospital in critical condition. The family has not publicly confirmed the specific nature of Paris' condition.
In a Facebook update posted on August 13 by Shelly Clark White, the wife of Earth, Wind & Fire bassist Verdine White, the family said doctors placed Paris in an induced coma upon his arrival at the hospital in order to provide critical care. "From the very beginning, Kathy and daughter Kyla remained by his side," the statement read, referring to Paris' wife, musician Kathy Merrick, and their daughter.
At one point, Paris briefly regained consciousness, opened his eyes, and asked for his wife. After she came to him, he turned to a close friend and said, "Get me outta here." The family described the moment as bringing "tears, laughter, hugs and renewed hope," but said the improvement did not last. Paris soon experienced rising blood pressure and difficulty breathing, and doctors sedated him again so his body could stabilize.
"John's journey is far from over," the statement concluded. "There is so much hope that surrounds him."
A GoFundMe campaign set up to support Paris and his family had raised nearly $70,000 toward a $75,000 goal as of the update, with several bandmates listed among the donors.
Earth, Wind & Fire resumed touring two days after the postponed San Francisco show, with former member Sonny Emory filling in on drums. The San Francisco concert has been rescheduled for September 26.
Paris joined the band in 2001. He played on studio albums including 2003's The Promise and 2005's Illumination and has also worked with artists including Patti LaBelle and Sheila E. Earth, Wind & Fire was formed in Chicago in 1969 by the late Maurice White. The group has sold more than 90 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Their sole Billboard Hot 100 number one was 1975's "Shining Star."
