Johnny Marks at the piano in a publicity photo. Photo: Courtesy St. Nicholas Music.

As a songwriter, Johnny Marks had a pretty good career. Although he penned 25 notable songs and is in the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, he is best known for three songs: “Have a Holly, Jolly ...

Even though he was of Jewish descent, Johnny Marks should have been christened “Mr. Christmas” after writing one of the biggest holiday songs in history, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” He based it ...

Shortly after Chuck Berry wrote “Run Rudolph Run” in 1958, it was credited to two writers who had nothing to do with writing the festive hit. Once written, Berry realized that the name “Rudolph” was ...