Christmas Wouldn’t Be The Same Without Him

You probably don't recognize him, but his Christmas songs are embedded in your brain. They're infectious, bubbly, easy to sing and emblematic of this season of giving.

We shouldn't let the holiday slip past without a nod to Johnny Marks (1909-1985), whose knack for stringing notes together created at least 20 songs just about this one holiday, plus dozens of others.

Go ahead, try to block Gene Autry's "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" out of your mind. He got the idea from a poem his brother-in-law wrote. Or Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree." Or "A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives, which he wrote for the animated TV special about his own creation, Rudolph. How about "Run Rudolph Run," which bears Chuck Berry's imprint? Or "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day," adapted from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poetry, a fact that didn't escape the attention of either Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra?

Interviews Marks gave over the years paint a portrait of a man who took his craft seriously.  "Rudolph," for example  went through several permutations and months of thought before becoming the version we know. His lyrics aren't high-flown but they reflect an affinity for common people. "Rudolph" is about a misfit. "Run Rudolph" capitalizes on the same misfit's success. "Holly Jolly" isn't about getting joy, but spreading it. "Bell" repeatedly emphasizes "Peace on Earth, good will to men."

Even a gifted writer faces incredible competition to bring songs to the attention of music-industry people who can popularize them. Credit Johnny Marks for finding his way through that labyrinth and placing his indelible stamp on the season.