Gayla Peevey
Gayla Peevey | |
|---|---|
| Publicity photo of Gayla Peevey in 1953 Publicity photo of Gayla Peevey in 1953 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gayla Rienette Peevey |
| Born | March 8, 1943 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1953–1962 |
| Labels | Columbia, Joy |
Gayla Rienette Peevey (born March 8, 1943) is a former singer and child star from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is best known for her recording of "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas" (Columbia 4-40106, 1953). Peevey recorded the novelty song when she was 10 years old. In 1960, under the name Jamie Horton, she had a minor hit with her single "My Little Marine" (Joy 45-234, 1959),[1] which reached #84 on Billboard's Hot 100 in early 1960.[2] She also recorded "Robot Man", a cover of a Connie Francis UK hit, but it failed to reach the charts.[3]
Biography
Her family moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma, in 1948. Prior to moving to California, Gayla attended Columbus Elementary School.[4] Peevey graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Education degree.[5] She eventually left teaching.[5] She is married to Cliff Henderson. They have a daughter, Sydney Forest, and three grandchildren.[6] Following her retirement from performing, Peevey runs her own jingle advertisement company and sings in church.[7]
In popular culture
Singles as Jamie Horton on Joy Records (New York)
| Year | Title | Label | Single | Matrix No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | My Little Marine/Missin' | Joy Records (New York) | 234 | K90W-8507/K90W-8508 |
| 1960 | Where's My Love/Heartbreakin' Doll | 237 | KS-193/KS-194 | |
| Just Say So/There Goes My Love | 240 | L90W-2188 | ||
| Robot Man/We're Through – We're Finished | 241 | JR-7051/JR-7031 | ||
| What Should A Teen Heart Do/Hands Off, He's Mine | 245 | |||
| 1961 | When It Comes To Love/Yes, I'll Be Your Girl | 252 | ||
| Going, Going, Going Gone/They're Playing Our Song (contains elements of 16 Candles) | 258 | JR-7103/JR-7101 | ||
| Dear Jane/Only Forever | 266 | JR-7073/JR-7122 | ||
| 1962 | Go Shout It From A Mountain/Oh Love (Stop Knockin' On My Door) | 269 |
References
- ↑ Discogs (accessed May 8, 2024)
- ↑ Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (February 1, 1960). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 60. ISSN 0006-2510.
{{cite book}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ↑ Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (July 25, 1960). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 3. ISSN 0006-2510.
{{cite book}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ↑ ‘Hippo’ was a splash in singer’s life
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Biography of Gayla Peevey," Internet Movie Database (accessed May 11, 2010).
- ↑ Famed Child Singing Sensation Gayla Peevey On the Comeback of Her Classic, I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
- ↑ Christmas hippo changed life for Oklahoma 10-year-old
External links
- Gayla Peevey at IMDb
- List of singles from Joy Records
- Gayla Peevey discography at Discogs
