Gene Santoro (October 31, 1950 – April 27, 2022) was an American writer, author, music critic, and music journalist. He was a columnist for the New York Daily News, Chamber Music, The Nation, and Pulse!. His writing also appeared in Guitar World, The New York Times, Musician, The Washington Post, Spin, Time, DownBeat, The Atlantic, New York Post, and Guitar Player.