Ron Carroll, Vocal House Pioneer, Dies at 57

Chicago house mainstay remembered for his gospel-infused vocals and decades-long impact on the genre.

Ron Carroll, the acclaimed vocalist, songwriter and DJ synonymous with Chicago’s house music scene, has died at the age of 57. The news was confirmed on September 22nd by fellow Chicago DJ Deonte Pennington in a Facebook post. No cause of death has been disclosed.

Carroll, born in Chicago in 1968, began his musical journey in church choirs before transitioning to the emerging house music movement that defined the city in the late 1980s and early ’90s. He released his first single, My Prayer, in 1993. A year later, after a chance meeting with Louie Vega at the Winter Music Conference, he penned the lyrics for Barbara Tucker’s club classic I Get Lifted, marking the start of a prolific career that blended gospel, soul and dance music.

A Defining Voice in House Music

Known for his distinctive, preacher-style vocal delivery, Carroll was often referred to as “The Minister of Sound.” Over the course of three decades, his voice became a staple of vocal house music. He recorded and performed on a number of notable tracks, including Superfunk’s Lucky Star, Hardsoul’s Back Together, and Bob Sinclar and Axwell’s What A Wonderful World. These releases brought him international acclaim and further cemented his reputation as one of house music’s most recognisable voices.

Beyond his vocal work, Carroll maintained a steady presence behind the decks. As a DJ and label owner, he toured across Europe, Asia and the Americas, helping to globalise Chicago’s house sound. Despite his international reach, Carroll remained closely tied to the local scene, regularly performing in Chicago and mentoring emerging talent.

He was scheduled to perform at Amsterdam Dance Event in October and just last week released “Can’t Stop” with Andrew Emil and covered covered in Attack Magazine.

Undisputed legacy

Carroll’s contributions to house music extended beyond performance. His ability to fuse spiritual and soulful elements with dancefloor energy made his work stand out during a period when vocal house was shaping club culture worldwide.

He leaves behind a body of work that influenced producers, vocalists and DJs across generations, and a legacy that reflects both the roots and evolution of house music.

Tributes have begun to appear online from across the dance music community, remembering Carroll not only for his artistry but also for his warmth and mentorship.

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Written by The DJ Sessions