Earth, Wind & Fire's John Paris Begins Rehab Following Hospitalization

WHO:

Billboard - John Paris, 58-year-old drummer of Earth, Wind & Fire

TMZ - Earth, Wind & Fire, Lionel Richie

WHAT:

Billboard - John Paris has entered rehabilitation following hospitalization.

TMZ - Paris spent more than two months in a San Francisco hospital due to a serious medical emergency.

TMZ - The band’s concert with Lionel Richie has been canceled after being postponed twice.

WHERE:

TMZ - San Francisco, California

WHEN:

Billboard - Paris was placed in a medically induced coma in August.

WHY:

Billboard - Paris lacked health insurance at the time of his hospitalization.

HOW:

Billboard - Paris was hospitalized and subsequently entered rehab after a serious medical emergency.

(UPDATED October 9, 2026 14:04 UTC)

John Paris, the 58-year-old drummer of Earth, Wind & Fire, has entered rehabilitation after spending over two months in a San Francisco hospital due to a serious medical emergency that required him to be placed in a medically induced coma in August. Unfortunately, the band’s concert with Lionel Richie has been canceled after being postponed twice, following Paris's hospitalization. It has been reported that Paris lacked health insurance at the time of his medical crisis.