Waking Up Asking Just One Thing, "Where's Kathy?": EWF Drummer John Paris's Brief Moment of Consciousness Amid Coma

On August 6, Earth, Wind & Fire were scheduled to perform alongside Lionel Richie at San Francisco's Chase Center. Just minutes before showtime, the official account posted only one line: "Due to a sudden medical emergency involving a band member, the show cannot go on as planned." And just like that, the concert was called off. The audience had no idea at the time that drummer John Paris was being rushed to the hospital.

Paris, 58, joined the band in 2001 and had previously performed alongside Patti LaBelle, Sheila E, and others. It wasn't until August 13 that his family issued a statement via Facebook, revealing that he had been placed in a medically induced coma due to a "critical medical emergency" and was receiving intensive care. His wife Kathy and daughter Kyla have not left his bedside since the moment he was hospitalized, and his longtime friend Eddie M has been keeping watch at his side every day as well.

The most heart-wrenching part of the statement described a moment when Paris briefly regained consciousness. Opening his eyes, the first thing he asked was, "Where's Kathy?" After seeing his wife, he turned to Eddie M and joked, "Get me out of here!" The family described those few minutes as a time when "everyone saw the familiar John they love." There were tears in the room, laughter too, and long-overdue embraces.

But that glimmer of hope didn't last long. Paris soon began experiencing breathing difficulties, and doctors had to sedate him once again to give his body a chance to stabilize and continue treatment. The family closed their statement with these words: "John's journey isn't over, and there is still so much hope surrounding him."

The band resumed touring just two days after the cancellation, bringing in former member Sonny Emory to fill in on drums. The San Francisco show has been rescheduled for September 26. A GoFundMe campaign set up for Paris and his family, with a goal of $75,000, has so far raised nearly $70,000.

As of this report, the family has not released any further updates on Paris's condition.