Which singer first recorded 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' in 1949?

Which singer first recorded “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” in 1949? Gene Autry made the first recording.

Autry recorded the song on June 27, 1949, and Columbia Records released it in September. The song was written by Johnny Marks, who adapted the character from the 1939 story created by Robert L. May. Autry’s recording was initially intended as a children’s record.

The recording became a major hit after Columbia promoted it to the pop market. It reached No. 1 in the United States during the 1949 Christmas season, helping establish Rudolph as a modern Christmas icon. Autry reportedly hesitated to record it, but his wife encouraged him to accept the song.

A common mix-up is confusing the singer with the songwriter: Johnny Marks wrote the song, while Robert L. May created the original character. Bing Crosby and many other performers recorded covers later, but Autry’s was the pioneering 1949 version.