SAN FRANCISCO — Earth, Wind & Fire postponed their concert at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thursday night. The postponement was due to a medical emergency involving a member of Earth, Wind & Fire.

The cancellation was announced at 7:20 p.m. ten minutes before the scheduled 7:30 p.m. start time. Thousands of fans were inside the arena and waiting in lines outside when the cancellation was announced. Chase Center doors were scheduled to open at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

"We are unable to perform as scheduled tonight at Chase Center in San Francisco due to a medical emergency involving a member of our band," Earth, Wind & Fire said. "As a result, tonight’s show with Lionel Richie will be rescheduled, with a new date to be announced soon." The band added that ticket holders should retain their tickets, which will be honored for the new date, or refunds will be available at the point of purchase. "We sincerely apologize for the unexpected change and appreciate everyone’s understanding," Earth, Wind & Fire said.

The San Francisco Fire Department received a medical call to Chase Center at approximately 5:30 p.m. A fire engine and private ambulance responded to a cardiac incident at the venue. One person was transported to a local hospital via private ambulance. The patient’s condition was listed as critical upon transport to the hospital. HIPAA laws prevent the hospital from releasing the patient’s identity.

TMZ reported that drummer John Paris is the band member involved in the medical emergency. John Paris joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 2001. TMZ reported that longtime members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson were not involved in the incident. All members of Earth, Wind & Fire are in their 70s.

Lionel Richie re-shared the postponement statement via Instagram Stories. Earth, Wind & Fire is co-headlining the Sing a Song All Night Long tour with Lionel Richie. Lionel Richie is 77 years old.

The Sing a Song All Night Long tour has 26 cities on its schedule. The next stop on the Sing a Song All Night Long tour is scheduled in Palm Desert, California, on Saturday. Subsequent tour stops include Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. The tour is scheduled to wrap up next weekend in Austin.

Lionel Richie suffered a health scare in June that led to multiple tour stops being canceled. Lionel Richie stopped his St. Paul, Minnesota, show in June due to a dizzy spell. Richie’s band performed for 15 minutes after he left the stage before announcing he would not continue.

Richie postponed his next two shows after the St. Paul incident before returning to the stage. In July, Lionel Richie stated he is "doing well."

The incident occurred at Chase Center, a venue where San Francisco building inspectors recently confirmed compliance with safety codes following a separate event. According to sfchronicle.com, San Francisco building inspectors deemed Chase Center up to code on Thursday, five days after one person died and two were injured in separate falls from the arena’s upper levels during a concert by the jam band Phish on Sunday. According to sfchronicle.com, the San Francisco Fire Department and San Francisco Police Department are leading independent investigations of that incident, but it is unrelated to the Earth, Wind & Fire concert cancellation. The San Francisco Fire Department is a provider of fire and emergency medical services to the City and County of San Francisco, California, and was established in 1866.

Why It Matters

The postponement interrupts a 26-city tour co-headlined by artists in their 70s, following a recent health-related cancellation involving Lionel Richie. Thousands of fans already inside the venue face logistical changes as tickets will be honored for a rescheduled date or refunded. This incident shows the vulnerability of touring schedules when medical emergencies occur among older performers shortly before showtime.