Gayla Peevey is an American former child singer. She is best known for recording the novelty song “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” when she was ten years old. She also recorded other Christmas songs, including ‘Angel in the Christmas Play’ and ‘Got a Cold in the Node for Christmas.’ Her only track that reached the charts is “My Little Marine” which peaked at #84 in 1960. Born in Oklahoma City, Peevey studied at San Diego State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree. After teaching for a brief period, she ran an advertising company for fifteen years. Although she was active in Hollywood for only about a decade, she managed to earn a reputation for being a bright and talented child singer. Currently, Peevey is living a retired life with her husband. Her daughter, composer and musician Sydney Forest, is as talented as her mother. She also has three grandchildren.
