<P> The song was first sung by crooner Harry Brannon on New York City radio in early November 1949 , before Gene Autry 's recording hit No. 1 in the U.S. charts during Christmas 1949 . The song was suggested as a `` B '' side for a record Autry was making it . Autry rejected the song . His wife convinced him to use it . The success of this Christmas song by Autry gave support to Autry 's subsequent popular Easter song , `` Here Comes Peter Cottontail . '' Autry 's version of the song also holds the distinction of being the only chart - topping hit to fall completely off the chart after reaching No. 1 . The official date of its No. 1 status was for the week ending January 7 , 1950 , making it the first No. 1 song of the 1950s . </P>
<P> The song was first sung by crooner Harry Brannon on New York City radio in early November 1949 , before Gene Autry 's recording hit No. 1 in the U.S. charts during Christmas 1949 . The song was suggested as a `` B '' side for a record Autry was making it . Autry rejected the song . His wife convinced him to use it . The success of this Christmas song by Autry gave support to Autry 's subsequent popular Easter song , `` Here Comes Peter Cottontail . '' Autry 's version of the song also holds the distinction of being the only chart - topping hit to fall completely off the chart after reaching No. 1 . The official date of its No. 1 status was for the week ending January 7 , 1950 , making it the first No. 1 song of the 1950s . </P>
who sang rudolph the red nosed reindeer in the 1950 's
who sang rudolph the red nosed reindeer in the 1950 's
Harry Brannon Gene Autry
Harry Brannon Gene Autry