![\"ALPHARETTA,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_308318363-6ef4.jpg\")
\n\t\tJohn Paris of Earth Wind And Fire has been put in a medical coma (Picture: Chris McKay\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tJohn Paris of Earth Wind And Fire has been put in a medical coma (Picture: Chris McKay\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
John Paris, the drummer for Earth, Wind and Fire, has been put in a medically induced coma after briefly waking up following his \u2018cardiac incident\u2019.<\/p>\n
The band were set to perform with Lionel Richie last Thursday at San Francisco\u2019s Chase Center but John ended up being rushed to hospital.<\/p>\n
Fire Department crews were called out to the venue after reports of a \u2018cardiac incident\u2019 and the 58-year-old musician was taken away in critical condition.<\/p>\n
Earth, Wind and Fire have now shared an update on his health on Facebook<\/a> through bassist Verdine White\u2019s wife Shelly and friend Tazz Cole.<\/p>\n They had previously kept details private while John received urgent care but now Shelly has revealed he was placed into a coma when he arrived at the hospital.<\/p>\n \u2018As information has begun to circulate publicly, we feel it\u2019s important that everyone hears the story directly from us so there is no confusion about where things stand today,\u2019 the statement said.<\/p>\n \t\t The band\u2019s tour manager Toshi had been at his side when the emergency unfolded, praising her \u2018steady presence, care, and support\u2019.<\/p>\n John\u2019s wife Kathy Merrick and daughter Kyla stayed by his bedside, along with close friend Eddie M who sat with him daily.<\/p>\n In \u2018a few precious moments\u2019, John had opened his eyes and asked for Kathy, giving the distressed family \u2018renewed hope\u2019.<\/p>\n \u2018Sadly, that moment was short-lived,\u2019 continued the statement. \u2018Not long after, John\u2019s blood pressure began to rise, and he had difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n \u2018His doctors made the difficult decision to sedate him again so his body could stabilize and continue receiving the best possible care.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t They said he remains under sedation while being \u2018carefully monitored\u2019 by his medical team who will \u2018determine the safest path forward\u2019.<\/p>\n \u2018Although this has been an emotional roller coaster, there have continued to be small moments that give those closest to him hope,\u2019 they added. <\/p>\n \u2018Even now, John appears to show slight responses when music is played\u2019.<\/p>\n The statement went on to thank fans for their support during the family\u2019s \u2018most difficult days\u2019, promising to share updates when possible.<\/p>\n A GoFundMe<\/a> has been launched to help the family, raising over $69,000 (\u00a351,000) of their $75,000 (\u00a355,400) target already.<\/p>\n \t\t Earth, Wind and Fire had been on tour with Lionel Richie around North America since June but the run ended on Friday, August 14 in Texas.<\/p>\n Lionel had been due to play in the UK later this month at the Sandringham Estate festival which ended up being scrapped due to low ticket sales.<\/p>\n The Heritage Live concert series was due to kick off at the beginning of August<\/a>\u00a0at the historic Audley End estate and continue throughout summer.<\/p>\n In a statement, organisers confirmed the \u2018heartbreaking news\u2019 of the festival\u2019s cancellation following \u2018far lower than average\u2019 interest.<\/p>\n The star-studded line-up had included exclusive UK performances from\u00a0Christina Aguilera<\/a> and\u00a0Janet Jackson<\/a>, as well as the Hello singer.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"LOS](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_308318377-75d0.jpg\")
\n\t\tEarth Wind and Fire were on tour with Lionel Richie at the time (Picture: Stewart Cook\/CBS via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_308318427-ec20.jpg\")
\n\t\tJohn woke up briefly and asked for his wife Kathy (Picture: John Paris)<\/p>\n![\"NEW](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_308318211-569e.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe family thanked fans for their support (Picture: Clayton Call\/Redferns)<\/p>\n
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