Earth, Wind & Fire Drummer John Paris Provides Health Update After Hospitalization

<figure><img alt="John Paris of Earth Wind And Fire performs at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on August 19, 2017, in Alpharetta, Georgia." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/VHXMJ4UVWBD2LK7TWSDSMFZ7MI.jpg?auth=e83dce4fe3a4b4a2eada9ad179745a8c85545f6cda734801fe6bc26ddedd8dd6&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3000&amp;height=1688" /><figcaption>Chris McKay / Chris McKay/Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris is currently in rehabilitation following a health emergency that resulted in a two-month hospitalization.</p><p>Paris, who has been a member of the Grammy-winning group since 2001, was hospitalized on August 6 after experiencing a medical emergency prior to a performance with bandmates Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson, as well as co-headliner Lionel Richie.</p><p>On October 8, friends of the 58-year-old musician provided a health update via a Facebook group and a GoFundMe page that has raised $110,000 to assist with unexpected expenses for Paris and his family.</p><p>“This is a milestone we have prayed for, and we couldn’t be happier to share this beautiful send-off from the people who cared for John during his long hospital stay,” said the organizers of the Facebook group regarding his discharge.</p><p>Bandmate Verdine White and his wife, Shelly Clark White, who founded the group Honey Cone, along with close friend Tazz Cole, organized the support group.</p><p>The specific nature of the medical event remains unclear, but a statement from San Francisco’s Chase Center at the time referred to a cardiac incident.</p><p>Paris was placed in a medically induced coma during his hospitalization and subsequently underwent two additional surgeries.</p><p>Fans have expressed their support on a pinned Instagram post on his account, with comments such as, “Thinking of you and the family. Get well soon, John,” and “Sending prayers up for a healthy recovery.”</p><p>In the October 8 update on GoFundMe, organizers indicated that Paris suffered a “spinal cord injury” and noted that he did not have medical insurance at the time of the emergency.</p><p>“Reaching rehabilitation is a victory. But John still has a long road ahead as he works toward regaining as much independence as possible and ultimately, returning home,” the update stated.</p><p>Organizers mentioned that Paris’s wife, Kathy Merrick, who is also a musician, and their daughter, Kyla, have been by his side throughout his hospitalization.</p><p>“Kathy and John are pursuing every available source of assistance, including Medicare and workers’ compensation, but what ultimately will be covered remains unresolved,” the organizers added.</p><video id="DnMrDKWv" poster="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/DnMrDKWv/poster.jpg"><source src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/DnMrDKWv.mp4" type="video/mp4" /></video><p></p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/earth-wind-fire-drummer-john-paris-shares-update-after-health-emergency">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>