Earth, Wind & Fire's longtime drummer John Paris has been identified as the band member hospitalized after a cardiac emergency forced the group to postpone its San Francisco concert with Lionel Richie last week - and now his friends, bandmates, and fans are rallying around him in prayer and financial support.
Paris, 58, suffered what the San Francisco Fire Department described as a "cardiac incident" backstage at Chase Center on August 6, just before Earth, Wind & Fire was set to take the stage alongside Richie for their "Sing a Song All Night Long" tour. Emergency crews transported him to a local hospital in critical condition. Longtime core members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson were not involved.
Paris has held the drum chair for Earth, Wind & Fire since 2001, contributing to albums including "The Promise" and "Now, Then & Forever." Outside the band, he's worked with artists like Patti LaBelle, Kelly Clarkson, and Bruce Hornsby.
According to KTVU, Paris remains hospitalized, and his wife has left her job to care for him full-time. A friend has since launched an online fundraiser to help support the family through his recovery.
Word of his condition has drawn an outpouring of prayer from those who know him best. Musician Romeo Johnson, who says he's known Paris for decades, wrote on Facebook, "May God touch your body and make it healed and whole in the mighty name of Jesus." The group TrueSchool Allstars echoed the sentiment on Instagram, asking supporters to lift their "dear brother and friend" in prayer.
Earth, Wind & Fire has not announced whether Paris's hospitalization will affect the tour's remaining August dates. For now, fans and friends alike are holding on to hope and prayer, for his full recovery.
