Emily Zemler
View all posts by Emily Zemler August 21, 2026
John Paris of Earth, Wind, & Fire performs in Alpharetta, Georgia, in 2017. Chris McKay/Getty Images Earth, Wind, & Fire offered an update on drummer John Paris, who was put into an induced coma after suffering a medical emergency earlier this month.
Paris, 58, has since woken up, according to statement shared with People by a representative for band member Verdine White. “Since our last few updates, there have been both encouraging moments and new challenges,” the rep said. “As we’ve said from the beginning, recovery isn’t a straight line, and John’s journey continues to remind us of that every day.”
The statement continued, “Many of you may remember that earlier in John’s journey, he briefly awakened before needing to be sedated again. Since then, we’ve experienced another significant milestone—John woke up again. This time, there was encouraging progress.”
Paris will remain in the intensive care unit and will need two major surgeries. His wife, Kathy Merrick, told People, “This journey is definitely a marathon, but JP is fighting every single day and our hope is strong. John has already overcome obstacles that once seemed impossible, and while there is still a long road ahead, each step forward gives everyone around him renewed hope.”
The drummer “experienced a critical medical emergency” ahead of Earth, Wind, & Fire’s show with Lionel Richie in San Francisco on Aug. 6. The band postponed the concert and told fans they hoped to reschedule. “We sincerely apologize for the unexpected change and appreciate everyone’s understanding,” the group said in a statement on social media.
Initially, Earth, Wind, & Fire did not reveal which member of the band had suffered the emergency. The following week, White’s wife, Shelly Clark White, and friend Tazz Cole shared an update on Facebook and confirmed the details had been “intentionally” left private.
“As information has begun to circulate publicly, we feel it’s important that everyone hears the story directly from us so there is no confusion about where things stand today,” the statement noted. They explained that Paris had been rushed to the hospital, and “when John arrived at the hospital, his doctors placed him into an induced coma while they worked to provide the critical care he needed.”
