Johnny Marks, often called “Mr. Christmas” for his significant contributions to holiday music, gifted the world timeless Christmas classics. While celebrated for “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Holly Jolly Christmas,” his most enduring legacy is undoubtedly the “Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer Song.” This seemingly simple tune has a rich history and a fascinating creator behind it.
Born John D. Marks in 1909, this talented songwriter was a Colgate University alumnus from the Class of 1931. Even during his college years, Marks was deeply involved in music. He showcased his musical talents as the glee club’s accompanist and managed the music club. His creative pursuits extended to literary circles as well, contributing to the Salmagundi board and the Willow Path literary magazine. Academically, he excelled, earning memberships in prestigious societies like Phi Beta Kappa and Mu Pi Delta. His early songwriting skills were evident in the four songs he penned for the Colgate songbook, including a piece for the now-defunct “Men of the Club of Commons.”
Marks further honed his musical expertise at Columbia University and even spent time in Paris, where an anecdote suggests he once performed for the legendary Ernest Hemingway. His life took a patriotic turn during World War II, where he served with distinction for four years in the Army under General Patton, participating in the Normandy campaign and earning a Bronze Star and four battle stars. Post-war, he dedicated himself to composing, a passion ignited in him since the age of 13.
In 1949, a pivotal year for Marks, he established St. Nicholas Music, Inc., which would become a leading name in Christmas song publishing. This same year saw the birth of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song.” The inspiration stemmed from a Christmas promotional booklet by Montgomery Ward. Intriguingly, the story of Rudolph was written by Robert May, Marks’s brother-in-law, who was a copywriter at Montgomery Ward.
Initially, Gene Autry, the iconic singing cowboy, was hesitant to record “Rudolph,” feeling it didn’t align with his image. However, swayed by his wife’s fondness for the song, Autry relented. This decision proved to be a turning point. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song” became a phenomenal success, selling over 12.5 million copies and becoming the second-highest-selling record of all time. The song’s enduring popularity has cemented its status as one of the most financially valuable songs globally.
The impact of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song” extended beyond records. In 1964, a stop-motion animated TV special produced by Rankin/Bass premiered on NBC. Marks not only wrote the lyrics and music for this special but also composed the music for the commercials, ensuring a seamless viewing experience. This special further solidified Rudolph’s place in popular culture and became a holiday tradition for generations.
Johnny Marks continued his foray into holiday TV specials, creating music for “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year,” “Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July,” “The Tiny Tree,” and “The Ballad of Smokey the Bear,” among others. His songwriting prowess wasn’t limited to Christmas themes. He also penned hits like “Who Calls,” “She’ll Always Remember,” and “Don’t Cross Your Fingers, Cross Your Heart,” demonstrating his versatility across genres.
Despite being celebrated as “Mr. Christmas,” Marks had a complex relationship with his Christmas fame. A 1980 People article revealed that he didn’t want his legacy solely defined by Christmas songs or even by the iconic reindeer. Interestingly, despite his Christmas persona, Johnny Marks was Jewish and reportedly didn’t partake in traditional Christmas festivities at home.
Regardless of his personal feelings, Johnny Marks’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song” has undeniably become an integral part of the Christmas season worldwide. His musical genius has ensured that “Rudolph” and his other Christmas melodies will continue to be cherished for generations to come, solidifying his place in music history, even if he himself had mixed feelings about it.
Alt texts for images:
alt="Johnny Marks, composer of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song, in a 1931 portrait"alt="Sheet music for 'A Colgate Day' by Johnny Marks, showcasing his early songwriting talent before Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song"alt="Sheet music cover for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song by Johnny Marks, published by St. Nicholas Music"alt="Page one of sheet music for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song, illustrating the beginning of the famous melody"alt="Page two of sheet music for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song, continuing the musical arrangement of the Christmas classic"alt="Puppets of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman from 'Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July' TV special, a creation by Johnny Marks"alt="Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer confronts the Bumble in the Rankin/Bass animated TV special, bringing Johnny Marks's song to life visually"
