Question: When did the performer of song Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (Song) die?

Knowledge 1: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song)
"Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is a song by songwriter Johnny Marks based on the 1939 story "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" published by the Montgomery Ward Company.Gene Autry's recording hit No. 1 on the U.S. charts the week of Christmas 1949. [SEP] Knowledge 2: Gene Autry
Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), nicknamed The Singing Cowboy, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician and rodeo performer who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning style on radio, in films, and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s.Autry was the owner of a television station, several radio stations in Southern California, and the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1997.From 1934 to 1953, Autry appeared in 93 films, and between 1950 and 1956 hosted "The Gene Autry Show" television series.During the 1930s and 1940s, he personified the straight-shooting hero—honest, brave, and true—and profoundly touched the lives of millions of Americans.Autry was also one of the most important pioneering figures in the history of country music, considered the second major influential artist of the genre's development after Jimmie Rodgers.His singing cowboy films were the first vehicle to carry country music to a national audience.In addition to his signature song, "Back in the Saddle Again", and his hit "At Mail Call Today", Autry is still remembered for his Christmas holiday songs, most especially his biggest hit "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" as well as "Frosty the SnowmanHereComes Santa Claus", and "Up on the House Top".Autry is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is the only person to be awarded stars in all five categories on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for film, television, music, radio, and live performance.The town of Gene Autry, Oklahoma, was named in his honor, as was the Gene Autry precinct in Mesa, Arizona.
Knowledge 1: Gene Autry
Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), nicknamed The Singing Cowboy, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician and rodeo performer who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning style on radio, in films, and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s.Autry was the owner of a television station, several radio stations in Southern California, and the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1997.From 1934 to 1953, Autry appeared in 93 films, and between 1950 and 1956 hosted "The Gene Autry Show" television series.During the 1930s and 1940s, he personified the straight-shooting hero—honest, brave, and true—and profoundly touched the lives of millions of Americans.Autry was also one of the most important pioneering figures in the history of country music, considered the second major influential artist of the genre's development after Jimmie Rodgers.His singing cowboy films were the first vehicle to carry country music to a national audience.In addition to his signature song, "Back in the Saddle Again", and his hit "At Mail Call Today", Autry is still remembered for his Christmas holiday songs, most especially his biggest hit "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" as well as "Frosty the SnowmanHereComes Santa Claus", and "Up on the House Top".Autry is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is the only person to be awarded stars in all five categories on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for film, television, music, radio, and live performance.The town of Gene Autry, Oklahoma, was named in his honor, as was the Gene Autry precinct in Mesa, Arizona. [SEP] Knowledge 2: Charlie Panigoniak
Charlie Panigoniak (7 March 1946 – 6 March 2019), born in Chesterfield Inlet, Northwest Territories in what is now Nunavut, Canada, was an Inuk singer-songwriter and guitarist whose albums reflect on northern life.He began recording in the early 1970s, including projects for broadcaster CBC Northern Service.His Inuktitut language rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"  with Lorna Tasseor was featured on the 1996 compilation "A Northern Christmas" .
Knowledge 1: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song)
"Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is a song by songwriter Johnny Marks based on the 1939 story "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" published by the Montgomery Ward Company.Gene Autry's recording hit No. 1 on the U.S. charts the week of Christmas 1949. [SEP] Knowledge 2: Robert L. May
Robert L. May( July 27, 1905 – August 10, 1976) was the creator of Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer.

Answer: October 2, 1998