Little Peggy March: The Teenage Voice of 1960s Pop

Little Peggy March is an American pop singer who soared to international fame as a teenager in the early 1960s. Hailing from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, she is best known for her 1963 chart-topper "I Will Follow Him," which made her the youngest female artist to have a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time.

Early career

Born Margaret Annemarie Battavio in 1948, her musical journey began in her childhood. Discovered by a local songwriter while performing at a school dance, she was quickly signed to RCA Victor, who gave her the stage name "Little Peggy March" to emphasize her youth and petite stature.

Breakthrough

Her breakthrough was immediate and monumental. In March of 1963, just weeks after her 15th birthday, her debut single "I Will Follow Him" was released. The song, an English adaptation of a French tune, skyrocketed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, selling over a million copies and earning a gold certification.

Key tracks

I Will Follow Him — This signature song defined her career, making her a global teen idol and securing her place in pop history.

Hello Heartache, Goodbye Love — A successful follow-up single that reached the Top 40, demonstrating her staying power on the charts.

I Wish I Were a Princess — Another Top 40 hit from 1963 that capitalized on her youthful image and vocal style.

Wenn der Sommer wieder einzieht — This German-language recording highlights her significant success in the European market during the mid-1960s.

Following her initial fame, March continued to record and perform, notably finding major success in Europe, especially in Germany and Japan. She evolved her sound, working with producers like her future husband, Walter Rizzatti, and exploring more mature pop and disco material in the 1970s on labels like Atlantic Records.

She shares the classic pop sound of her era with artists like Lesley Gore, another teenage star who delivered powerful vocal performances on 1960s pop hits. The girl-group aesthetic is echoed by The Shangri-Las, who also crafted dramatic, story-driven pop songs. For a similar journey from teen sensation to enduring performer, explore Brenda Lee, who achieved massive success at a very young age.

Little Peggy March's music remains a staple on classic pop and oldies radio stations, frequently featured in rotations dedicated to the golden age of 1960s music. Her hits are essential listening on online streams and independent radio stations that celebrate formative moments in pop history.

The enduring music of Little Peggy March can be heard on the classic pop and oldies radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover or revisit her iconic catalog through the various radio stations available on onairium.com.