Margaret Annemarie Battavio was born in Pennsylvania, in March of 1948. She was to be heard singing at a cousin’s wedding, at the age of just thirteen and promptly signed to a contract to record on the label of RCA.
As Margaret was only short and because she had been born in the month of March, it was decided that she would adopt the name of Little Peggy March. Peggy’s success was almost instantaneous, for by the time she was fourteen, in April of 1963, her recording, “I Will Follow Him”, had soared to No. 1, not only on the American pop charts but those of other countries, as well. It was a translation of a French song, “Chariot”, recorded in the year prior to this , by the British vocalist, Petula Clark. Her singles, “I Wish I Were A Princess” and “Hello Heartache, Goodbye Love” also entered the American charts.
Because Peggy was so young, the job of caring for her finances was placed in the hands of her manager. However, by the time she had finished high school, she discovered that her fortune had been squandered.
Although she continued to record, it was to be in Europe and Asia where she would find success. Perhaps this was why, in 1969, Peggy moved to live in Germany where she resided until 1981.
“When The Rain Begins To Fall”, which Peggy co-wrote, became a major hit in Europe for Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora, in 1984. The song, “I Will Follow Him”, reappeared, in the film, ‘Sister Act’, in 1992.