Gulla goes beyond "cradle-to-grave" biographies to explore the that defined the genre. The encyclopedia is structured chronologically, allowing readers to trace the evolution of sound from the early gospel-fused piano melodies of the 1950s to the high-concept productions of the 1980s.
: Trailblazers like Ray Charles (who merged the sacred with the secular), Little Richard , Ruth Brown , and Fats Domino brought the piano-driven energy of New Orleans R&B to the masses.
: The book explores the "hits factory" of Berry Gordy’s Motown , highlighting legends like Stevie Wonder , Marvin Gaye , The Supremes , and The Temptations .
