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Earth, Wind & Fire Drummer John Paris Hospitalized, Coma

8/16/2026

29 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

John Paris Hospitalized

John Paris, Earth, Wind & Fire drummer, entered a medically induced coma after a cardiac incident on August 6.
Doctors sedated him because his blood pressure rose and he could not breathe.
The band canceled its San Francisco Chase Center concert minutes before it began.
A GoFundMe for Paris and his wife has raised over $70,000 by August 15.
Shelly Clark-White, Verdine White and Tazz Cole created a Facebook page for updates.

Summary

Questlove Unveils Doc

Questlove-directed documentary “Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s The Weight Of The World)” premiered in June.
The band was founded in Chicago in 1969 by Maurice White, has sold 90 million records, and entered the Hall of Fame in 2000.
After the San Francisco show was postponed, former member Sonny Emory filled in on drums for the concert, which was moved to September 26.

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John Paris Hospitalized

John Paris, Earth, Wind & Fire drummer, entered a medically induced coma after a cardiac incident on August 6.
Doctors sedated him because his blood pressure rose and he could not breathe.
The band canceled its San Francisco Chase Center concert minutes before it began.
A GoFundMe for Paris and his wife has raised over $70,000 by August 15.
Shelly Clark-White, Verdine White and Tazz Cole created a Facebook page for updates.

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