Name Johnny Marks | Role Songwriter | |
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Died September 3, 1985, New York City, New York, United States Spouse Margaret May Marks (m. 1947) Movies Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys Children Michael Marks, David Marks, Laura Marks Similar People Robert L May, Burl Ives, Jules Bass, Arthur Fiedler, Kathleen Barr | ||
Ian whitcomb interviews johnny marks
John David Marks (November 10, 1909 – September 3, 1985) was an American songwriter. Although he was Jewish, 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 "Run Rudolph Run" (recorded by Chuck Berry).
Contents
- Ian whitcomb interviews johnny marks
- Hb 40 johnny marks turn me around
- Personal life
- Career
- Christmas songs
- Other
- References
Hb 40 johnny marks turn me around
Personal life
Marks was born in Mount Vernon, New York. A graduate of McBurney School in New York, NY, and Colgate and Columbia Universities, 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 and David. He is a 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 is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York City.
Career
Among Marks' many works is "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer", which was based on a poem of the same name, written by Marks’s brother-in-law, Robert L. May, Rudolph's creator. A television film based on the story and song first aired in 1964, with Marks himself 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.
Christmas songs
** Burl Ives released "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Silver and Gold," two songs he sang as his character Sam the Snowman, as singles for the 1965 holiday season, the year after the TV production.