Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris has been placed in an induced coma after a critical medical emergency earlier this month, according to NME.
The 58-year-old was taken to the hospital on August 6, just before the band was set to perform with Lionel Richie at San Francisco’s Chase Center. The show was postponed minutes before it was due to begin, after the group said it could not perform because of a medical emergency involving one of its members.
Paris’ family later posted an update on Facebook saying doctors had sedated him as part of his care. They said he briefly woke up and spoke with family and a close friend before having trouble breathing again, which led doctors to sedate him once more so his body could stabilize.
According to the family’s statement, there remains hope for his recovery. Earth, Wind & Fire returned to the tour two days later with former member Sonny Emory filling in on drums, and the postponed San Francisco concert has been rescheduled for September 26.
