Gilbert Peterson, also known as Gil Peterson, was born on February 28, 1936, in Winona, Mississippi, USA.
Born and raised in Winona, Mississippi, Gil was an exceptional high school athlete who excelled in four different varsity sports, earning him a reputation as a standout student-athlete. During his high school years, he was voted Best All Around Athlete, Most Valuable Football Player, and received the prestigious Winona Sportsmanship Award.
After graduation, Gil accepted a football scholarship to Mississippi State University, where he became a star halfback for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. It was during his college days that he began his professional singing career. Each summer, he would tour the nightclub circuit in the deep South, performing floor shows and working with various musical combos. One of his most enjoyable experiences during this period was working with a modern vocal-instrumental quintet composed of himself and four other college students.
When fall arrived, Gil would return to the gridiron, but he had become enamored with the show business lifestyle and decided to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. After completing his studies, Gil headed straight to Hollywood to give it his best shot. He secured bit parts on TV and made guest appearances in nightclubs around the Hollywood and Los Angeles area. His impressive singing talents caught the attention of Ace Label, which tapped him to record his first LP album, "Gil Peterson Sings Our Last Goodbye" (LP1024).
