There was always something special about Ron.

One of the pioneering figures in the creation of house music and one of the greatest DJs God ever created, Ron Hardy has enjoyed a reputation unparalleled in this scene, a legend made out of just a handful of remixes, bootlegged mixes and stories of those who heard him at the Muzik Box or even way back at Den One.

Since his death in 1992, Ron Hardy has been at rest in a common grave. Some of Chicago’s other old school pioneers hope to change that. They’re holding a fundraiser on GoFundMe to pay for a memorial marker for Ron’s burial site as well as a livestream to bring attention to it.

The Frankie Knuckles Foundation and the Chosen Few DJs have joined forces on A Fundraiser For Ron Hardy, commemorating what would have been his 63rd birthday. This Friday May 8, DJs will livestream for 10 hours from Chicago’s La Nocturne and broadcast live on Twitch, Facebook and YouTube. Among the DJs involved are the Chosen Few’s Andre Hatchett, Mike Dunn, Terry Hunter and Wayne Williams, plus Ron’s nephew Bill Hardy, Celeste Alexander, Craig Loftis, Gene Hunt, Jamie 3:26, Ron Carroll and more.

If you’d like to support the cause now, a (very modest) $2500 crowdsourcing campaign has been set up on GoFundMe.

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On March 2nd 1992 the #HouseMusic community lost one of its great pioneers, the legendary DJ Ron Hardy. Since that time his final resting place has gone unmarked. Three years ago Chicago attorney and co-founder of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation, the late Randy Crumpton came up with the idea to raise funds to purchase a memorial marker for Ron. Crumpton mentioned his idea to FKF President/Executive Director Frederick Dunson who then spoke with Chosen Few DJ members @DJWayneWilliams, @DJAlanKing and @DJTerryHunter about a collaboration to purchase the stone and remedy the situation. Fast forward to this year… a few weeks ago during a conversation, Dunson mentioned the idea again to Hunter who enthusiastically responded “Let's do it!” So on May 8th, to observe and celebrate what would have been Ron's 63rd birthday, the @ChosenFewDJs + the @FrankieKnucklesFoundation join forces to host a fundraising effort to raise funds to purchase a marker. The day will consist of a marathon of DJ sets featuring ANDRE HATCHETT, BILL HARDY (Ron’s Nephew), CELESTE ALEXANDER , CRAIG LOFTIS, GENE HUNT, JAMIE 326, MIKE DUNN, RON CARROLL, TERRY HUNTER and WAYNE WILLIAMS broadcasted live from @LeNocturneChicago 12pm-10pm (CST) on their Twitch, Facebook and YouTube. Donations to the cause can be made via GoFundMe.com/For-The-Love-Of-Ron. #ForTheLoveOfRon

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