Bob Gulla is an American music historian and musicologist, music encyclopedia author, and biographer and writer. He has authored books such as ''Icons of R&B and Soul: An Encyclopedia of the Artists Who Revolutionized Rhythm'', ''Guitar Gods: The 25 Players Who Made Rock History'', and has co-written ''The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History'' and ''Piano Love Songs for Dummies'', ''Movie Piano Songs for Dummies'' and ''Christmas Piano Songs for Dummies''. In his book ''Icons of R&B and Soul'' he wrote biographical pieces on artists including

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Gen ...

Little Richard Richard Wayne Penniman (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), known professionally as Little Richard, was an American singer, pianist, and songwriter. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Described as the "Ar ...

Fats Domino Antoine Caliste Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017), known as Fats Domino, was an American singer-songwriter and pianist. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. Born in New Orl ...

, Ruth Brown, LaVern Baker,

Sam Cooke Samuel Cooke (; January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964) was an American singer and songwriter. Considered one of the most influential soul music, soul artists of all time, Cooke is commonly referred to as the "King of Soul" for his distin ...

, Jackie Wilson,

Etta James Jamesetta Hawkins (January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012), known professionally as Etta James, was an American singer and songwriter. Starting her career in 1954, James frequently performed in Nashville's R&B clubs, collectively known as the Ch ...

, Ike Turner,

Tina Turner Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939 – May 24, 2023) was a singer, songwriter, actress, and author. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Rock 'n' Roll", her vocal prowess, raspy voice, and electrifyin ...

, The Isley Brothers,

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and record producer. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is referred to by Honorific nick ...

, and Otis Redding. In Volume 6 of ''The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History'', The Grunge and Post-Grunge Years, 1991–2005, Gulla is described as "capturing the many innovations of millennial rock music and culture." He was also a contributing music writer for '' The Phoenix''(now defunct).

References

American music historians American male non-fiction writers American musicologists American biographers American male biographers American encyclopedists Living people Year of birth missing (living people) Rock music historians {{musicologist-stub