Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris remains under sedation after suffering a medical emergency before the band’s concert last week at San Francisco’s Chase Center, according to his family.
Doctors placed Paris in an induced coma after he arrived at the hospital, so they could provide critical care, a family-backed Facebook page called “Standing for John Paris” reported Thursday. The update did not confirm earlier reports that the 58-year-old musician suffered a cardiac incident.
Paris briefly regained consciousness, the update said. He opened his eyes, looked around the room and asked, “Where’s Kathy?” referring to his wife, Kathy Merrick. He then looked at longtime friend Eddie Mininfield and said, “Get me outta here man!”
His blood pressure later began to rise and he had difficulty breathing. Doctors sedated him again so his body could stabilize. “Today, John remains resting under sedation while his medical team carefully monitors him and determines the safest path forward,” the page stated.
Family and friends said Paris has shown slight responses when music is played at his bedside. Tour manager Toshi was by his side when everything unfolded, according to the update. “Her steady presence, care, and support during those first moments meant more than words can express, and the family will always be grateful.”
Merrick and the couple’s daughter, Kyla, have remained with Paris, as has Mininfield. The support page was created by Shelly “Mashelle” Clark White, a founding member of the vocal group Honey Cone; her husband, Verdine White, a co-founder of Earth, Wind & Fire; and longtime friend Tazz Cole.
Paris was hospitalized shortly before Earth, Wind & Fire’s scheduled concert with Lionel Richie at Chase Center on Aug. 6. The San Francisco Fire Department said it was dispatched to the arena at 5:30 p.m. for a medical emergency, and one person was transported to a hospital by private ambulance.
The incident prompted Chase Center staff to turn away concertgoers just minutes before the scheduled 7:30 p.m. start. The show has been rescheduled for Sept. 26 at Chase Center. Tickets from the original date will be honored, and ticket holders who cannot attend can request refunds through the original point of purchase.
Earth, Wind & Fire continued its tour with Richie after the San Francisco postponement, performing Aug. 8 in Palm Desert, California. The band has not issued a separate public update on Paris’s condition.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by Shelly Clark White on behalf of Paris and Merrick, who has left her home in Los Angeles and put her own band on hold to care for him. The fundraiser notes the unexpected medical crisis has brought emotional heartbreak and a growing burden of travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses.
