Ron Christian

Ronald’s angelic voice is the only voice I know that gets better and better with age. Thank you for continuing to spread joy. I enjoyed lessening to you in Marshall High, but wow, I get more chills hearing you now then I did in the 60’s. May God continue Blessing you and us with your heart and voice.

When I took shelter from the first major snow storm to hit Chicago in 2012 at the Red Line Jackson stop, I thought I was only going to get temporary warmth. Much to my surprise, and at the risk of sounding supremely shmaltzy, I heard the heart-​warming singing of Ron Christian and «The Real Connection».
Even with the first few notes I was immediately captivated. Is that a recording? Since when was there music at the L stops? I walked around the corner and saw three men singing heavenly harmonies that were nothing short of jaw-​dropping. Silky smooth, pure and soulful. I overheard one lady say, «Those are the best harmonies I ever heard.» I knew this was something special, something that I felt privileged to be hearing. Everyone on the platform just stopped to listen; no one pretending to be messing with their iPhone, or trying to look occupied so as not to engage.
They finished a song which I’d never heard titled «It’s Alright», and it couldn’t have been a better song to have heard today. Nothing could have made me feel 100% better than that exact song sung by Ron and company. This will be my go-​to feel-​good music from now until eternity.
This is how good their music made me feel– I came back to the Jackson stop an hour later just to go back and talk to them! I was lucky enough to meet them, and I would’ve been kicking myself if I hadn’t gotten that chance. I bought their CD and it was the best $ 5 I’ve spent since I got here. There’s no one place, restaurant or group that I would be more honored to write my first Unilocal review about, and no one deserves it more than Ron and «The Real Connection.»

Ron Christian made my day. He sings daily, he says, at the Jackson Blue Line stop or the Washington Red Line stop. He’s got a CTA permit and a hat for donations.
He floored me. When I got down into the stop to wait for the train I heard a contralto angel snapping his fingers and singing Sam Cooke’s «Wonderful World» and «Cupid,» a capella.
Ron outdid Sam Cooke or anyone else. I let three trains pass because I was enthralled. After a while, I approached Ron, extended my hand which he received warmly. We shook, and I told him my name. Then I asked him: «Where’d you learn to sing like that?»
He pointed upwards. «God.» He paused. «I was put here to do just what I’m doin’, man. No doubt about it.»
No doubt about it.