Earth Wind & Fire abruptly canceled their scheduled Thursday night performance at Chase Center after a band member experienced a serious medical emergency that required immediate hospitalization.
The iconic funk group announced the postponement through an Instagram statement, informing fans that they were unable to take the stage at the San Francisco venue due to the medical crisis. The band did not disclose which member was affected by the emergency.
Mariano Elias, a representative for the San Francisco Fire Department, confirmed to TMZ that emergency responders were dispatched to Chase Center on Thursday night for a cardiac incident. A fire engine and private ambulance arrived at the venue, and one individual was transported to a local hospital where they remained in critical condition.
The band's current lineup features notable members Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson. In their social media announcement, the group pledged to reschedule the San Francisco performance for a later date, which will be announced in the coming days. They expressed apologies for the inconvenience and gratitude for fans' understanding during the medical situation.
This marks the second health-related disruption for the band's current tour. On June 24, touring partner Lionel Ritchie experienced a medical emergency while performing onstage in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ritchie informed the audience he was feeling dizzy and had been instructed by medical professionals to rest. He postponed two performances before rejoining Earth Wind & Fire for a show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 30.
Representatives for Earth Wind & Fire had not responded to requests for additional information about the medical emergency as of early Friday morning.
Ticketholders for the postponed Chase Center concert should retain their tickets pending the announcement of the rescheduled date.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
