Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
On this day, November 10, 1909, Johnny Marks was born.
Johnny Marks
Born: November 10, 1909; Mount Vernon, New York
Died: September 3, 1985 (aged 75); New York, New York
John David Marks (November 10, 1909 – September 3, 1985) was an American songwriter. He specialized in Christmas songs and wrote many holiday standards, including "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (a hit for Gene Autry and others), "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (a hit for Brenda Lee), "A Holly Jolly Christmas" (recorded by the Quinto Sisters and later by Burl Ives), "Silver and Gold" (for Burl Ives), " and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (introduced by Bing Crosby). He is also credited with writing Run Rudolph Run" (recorded by Chuck Berry), but this is due to his trademark of the Rudolph character, rather than any input in the writing of the song.
Personal life
Marks was born in Mount Vernon, New York. A graduate of McBurney School in New York, NY, and Colgate University and Columbia University, Marks later studied in Paris. He earned a Bronze Star and four Battle Stars as a Captain in the 26th Special Service Company during World War II. Marks had three children: Michael, Laura (d.2008) and David (d.2009). Marks, who was Jewish, is the great-uncle of economist Steven Levitt.
Marks was the nephew of Marcus M. Marks (1858–1937), an important business figure who served as Borough President of Manhattan. Johnny Marks's father, Louis B. Marks, was a leading lighting engineer. His wife, Margaret May Marks, was the sister of Robert L. May who wrote the original story of Rudolph.
He lived on West 11th Street in Greenwich Village and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York City. He died on September 3, 1985, of complications from diabetes. He was survived by his three children: Michael Marks, David Marks, and Laura Marks.
Career
Among Marks' many works is "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer", which was based on a poem of the same name, written by Marks' brother-in-law, Robert L. May, Rudolph's creator. A television film based on the story and song first aired in 1964, with Marks composing the score.
In addition to his songwriting, he founded St. Nicholas Music in 1949, and served as director of ASCAP from 1957 to 1961. In 1981, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Marks appeared as an imposter on the December 11, 1961 episode of the game show To Tell The Truth. Impersonating the owner of a herd of reindeer, he did not receive any votes. After the true contestant was revealed, Marks identified himself as the composer of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.
{snip}
Born: November 10, 1909; Mount Vernon, New York
Died: September 3, 1985 (aged 75); New York, New York
John David Marks (November 10, 1909 – September 3, 1985) was an American songwriter. He specialized in Christmas songs and wrote many holiday standards, including "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (a hit for Gene Autry and others), "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (a hit for Brenda Lee), "A Holly Jolly Christmas" (recorded by the Quinto Sisters and later by Burl Ives), "Silver and Gold" (for Burl Ives), " and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (introduced by Bing Crosby). He is also credited with writing Run Rudolph Run" (recorded by Chuck Berry), but this is due to his trademark of the Rudolph character, rather than any input in the writing of the song.
Personal life
Marks was born in Mount Vernon, New York. A graduate of McBurney School in New York, NY, and Colgate University and Columbia University, Marks later studied in Paris. He earned a Bronze Star and four Battle Stars as a Captain in the 26th Special Service Company during World War II. Marks had three children: Michael, Laura (d.2008) and David (d.2009). Marks, who was Jewish, is the great-uncle of economist Steven Levitt.
Marks was the nephew of Marcus M. Marks (1858–1937), an important business figure who served as Borough President of Manhattan. Johnny Marks's father, Louis B. Marks, was a leading lighting engineer. His wife, Margaret May Marks, was the sister of Robert L. May who wrote the original story of Rudolph.
He lived on West 11th Street in Greenwich Village and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York City. He died on September 3, 1985, of complications from diabetes. He was survived by his three children: Michael Marks, David Marks, and Laura Marks.
Career
Among Marks' many works is "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer", which was based on a poem of the same name, written by Marks' brother-in-law, Robert L. May, Rudolph's creator. A television film based on the story and song first aired in 1964, with Marks composing the score.
In addition to his songwriting, he founded St. Nicholas Music in 1949, and served as director of ASCAP from 1957 to 1961. In 1981, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Marks appeared as an imposter on the December 11, 1961 episode of the game show To Tell The Truth. Impersonating the owner of a herd of reindeer, he did not receive any votes. After the true contestant was revealed, Marks identified himself as the composer of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.
{snip}
A month from now, you'll be screaming in horror when this comes on the radio again.
Gene Autry - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1953)
51,118 views•Nov 20, 2011
ChristmasRewind
1.82K subscribers
51,118 views•Nov 20, 2011
ChristmasRewind
1.82K subscribers
I wasn't expecting this:
4) Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer [Johnny Marks] 2007
52,151 views•Jun 12, 2008
Weihnachtskonzert
393 subscribers
Knabenmusik Schaffhausen
Leitung: Bruno Schmid
52,151 views•Jun 12, 2008
Weihnachtskonzert
393 subscribers
Knabenmusik Schaffhausen
Leitung: Bruno Schmid
#ChuckBerry #RunRudolphRun #Christmas
Chuck Berry - Run Rudolph Run (Official Video)
41,256 views•Premiered Oct 16, 2020
Chuck Berry
71.9K subscribers
Chuck Berry "Run Rudolph Run" official video. Subscribe and ring the bell to never miss an update: https://chuckberry.lnk.to/Subscribe
Chuck Berry - Run Rudolph Run (Official Video)
41,256 views•Premiered Oct 16, 2020
Chuck Berry
71.9K subscribers
Chuck Berry "Run Rudolph Run" official video. Subscribe and ring the bell to never miss an update: https://chuckberry.lnk.to/Subscribe
Fri Nov 10, 2023: On this day, November 10, 1909, Johnny Marks was born.
Fri Nov 10, 2023: Brenda Lee finally makes a music video for 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' to mark its 65th anniversary
Thu Nov 10, 2022: On this day, November 10, 1909, Johnny Marks was born.
Tue Nov 10, 2020: On this day, November 10, 1909, Johnny Marks was born.