OKLAHOMA CITY – This year marks the 65th anniversary of the popular holiday song, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” To celebrate, the Oklahoma City Zoo is bringing the singer of the song, Gayla ...

When Gayla Peevey's catchy Christmas wish for a hippopotamus came true in 1953, she didn't need to test the lyrical theory that a two-car garage would have plenty of room to house her "hippo hero." ...

She was a children's Christmas song come to life. On Dec. 24, 1953, a 700-pound "baby" lumbered from her moving crate into the awaiting water at Oklahoma City's Lincoln Park Zoo. "I Want a ...

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Gayla Peevey had a big song on her hands when she was only 10 years old. "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" blew up as soon as it was released on Columbia Records. Peevey lived in ...

Over the past few decades, Gayla Peevey has become accustomed to blowing children's minds. On one hand, she's the little girl crooning the hallowed holiday song "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas." ...

Gayla Peevey, at age 10, recorded the holiday hit "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" in 1953, leading to a successful ...

Oklahoma City Zoo will unveil a new statue honoring Gayla Peavey, the local singer behind “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” and Matilda the hippo. This Thursday, the zoo will unveil a statue ...

OKLAHOMA CITY – She was only 10-years-old at the time, but Gayla Peevey had a big song on her hands. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” blew up as soon as it was released on Columbia Records.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – All a cute, curly haired 10-year-old girl named Gayla Peevey wanted for Christmas in 1953 was a hippopotamus. And amazingly enough, after “I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas” ...