Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris remains in an induced coma after suffering a cardiac incident backstage before a major show on August 8. The 58-year-old musician, who has played with the band since 2001, was rushed to hospital shortly before the band were due to perform alongside Lionel Richie at San Francisco's Chase Center as part of their double headline Sing a Song All Night Long Tour.
Emergency response and initial update
Fire Department crews were called to the venue following reports of a "cardiac incident" with one person taken to a local hospital in critical condition, according to TMZ. Shelly Clarke, the wife of the band's bassist Verdine White, confirmed the emergency at the time in a Facebook post writing: "We want to let everyone know that our brother, John Paris, has experienced a medical emergency. At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with John and his family as they focus on his care and recovery. We respectfully ask for privacy during this difficult time. We will share further updates as soon as we have more information and are able to do so. Thank you for your love, prayers, understanding, and continued support."
Latest update on his condition
She has now confirmed the severity of his condition in a further update posted on Thursday on a page called Stand With John, which was set up to keep fans abreast of his condition. She confirmed: "When John arrived at the hospital, his doctors placed him into an induced coma while they worked to provide the critical care he needed." Revealing he briefly regained consciousness, she said he asked for his wife, Kathy, as she continued "once he saw her, he then turned to a friend and joked, 'Get me outta here'."
However, she shared the moment was short-lived. "Not too long after that John's blood pressure began to rise, and he had difficulty breathing. His doctors made the difficult decision to sedate him again so his body could stabilise and continue receiving the best possible care."
Ongoing care and fundraising
"Today, John remains resting under sedation while his medical team carefully monitors him and determines the safest path forward," she said. "Although this has been an emotional roller coaster, there have continued to be small moments that give those closest to him hope. Even now, John appears to show slight responses when music is played."
"For a man whose life has been devoted to music, those moments have been incredibly meaningful to everyone at his bedside," she intimated. She has also set up a GoFundMe to help the family cope with "not only emotional heartbreak, but also the growing burden of travel, lodging, meals, countless unexpected expenses, and the unforeseen challenges that lie ahead". At time of writing it has raised $68,780 of its $75,000 target.
