Johnny Marks

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Johnny Marks (born November 10, 1909 in Mount Vernon , New York , † September 3, 1985 in New York City ) was an American composer. Despite being of Jewish faith, he specialized in Christmas carols and wrote many standards such as: Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer , I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day , Rockin 'Around the Christmas Tree , A Holly Jolly Christmas, and Run Rudolph Run .

Early years

Marks was born in Mount Vernon and graduated from McBurney School in New York City , Colgate University and Columbia University . He later studied in Paris and received the Bronze Star and four Battle Stars awards as captain of the 26th Special Service Company during World War II . Marks also had three children: Michael, Laura, and David.

Career

One of Marks' most famous works is probably Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer , which is based on a poem of the same name written by his brother-in-law Robert L. May , the inventor of Rudolph. In addition to composing (95 songs), Marks founded St. Nicholas Music in 1949 and was director of ASCAP from 1957 to 1961. In 1981 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and died in 1985 in New York City.

Works

Christmas carols

Other works

  • Happy New Year Darling - 1946 (with J. Carmen Lombardo )
  • Address Unknown
  • Chicken Today and Feathers Tomorrow
  • Don't Cross Your Fingers, Cross Your Heart
  • Free
  • How Long Is Forever?
  • I Guess There's an End to Everything
  • Neglected
  • She'll Always Remember
  • Summer Holiday
  • There's Always Tomorrow
  • We speak of you often
  • What've You Got to Lose But Your Heart
  • Who calls?

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Marks, Johnny
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American composer
DATE OF BIRTH November 10, 1909
PLACE OF BIRTH Mount Vernon , New York
DATE OF DEATH 3rd September 1985
Place of death New York City