Beyond Psycho: The Early Jazz Secret of Anthony Perkins

Anthony Perkins is best remembered for making audiences squirm in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, but there’s a musical twist to his story that deserves a spin. Back in the 1950s, before Norman Bates became his most infamous role, Perkins was trying his hand at something rather different: singing jazz and traditional pop. Yes, the man who made a shower scene legendary also had a microphone and a songbook.

In the mid-1950s, Hollywood saw teen-idol potential in Perkins, whose musical career followed a path similar to that of fellow actor and singer Tab Hunter. Recording as Tony Perkins, he released singles for Epic Records and RCA Victor. His biggest hit was “Moon-Light Swim,” which reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1957. Elvis Presley later recorded his own version for Blue Hawaii. Perkins’ “The Prettiest Girl in School” also gained popularity in Australia, although it failed to make a similar impression on the US charts. Not bad for a man whose screen career would involve considerably less romance and a lot more screaming.

Perkins’ musical style leaned towards traditional pop and jazz, with a soft, wistful delivery that drew comparisons to Chet Baker. Yet his acting persona made the contrast all the more striking. His characters often seemed to hover on the fringe, one nervous twitch away from coming completely undone. His portrayal of Norman Bates cemented his reputation as a high-calibre actor, but also helped typecast him. After watching him turn a motel into a monument to psychological terror, picturing him serenading an audience with jazz standards takes a little mental gymnastics.

Between 1957 and 1958, Perkins released three studio albums: Tony Perkins, From My Heart and On a Rainy Afternoon. Acting soon took priority, but his musical story has continued to attract collectors interested in the recordings he left behind.

Two archival releases are particularly intriguing. Jasmine Records’ Just in Time: The Rarest Tony Perkins presents an unreleased album recorded with arranger Shorty Rogers for RCA Victor in 1959, alongside rare recordings made in France. Meanwhile, Stage Door Records has announced Getting to Know You (The Unreleased 1960 Studio Album), featuring material from Perkins’ late-1950s jazz sessions. The track listings share several titles, including “Getting to Know You,” “Change Partners,” “Mountain Greenery,” and “Limehouse Blues.”

The Stage Door release has already sold out, and fans are waiting for a new pressing. I don’t know how many copies were printed, but with only 100 copies, they’d sell out for sure! Clearly, Tony Perkins’ unexpected return to the jazz spotlight has struck a chord. Hopefully, a vocal cord this time, rather than the blood-curdling screams he gave us in Psycho.

I’ll admit it, my curiosity has got the better of me! The thought of Anthony Perkins swapping Hitchcockian nightmares for jazz crooning is too deliciously bizarre to ignore. There’s only one way to settle this mystery: put on the headphones and give Tony a spin. Wish me luck!

Listen and explore: If I’ve whetted your appetite for Tony Perkins’ musical side, there are a few places worth investigating. Stage Door Records’ Getting to Know You (The Unreleased 1960 Studio Album) is the one to watch for news of a new pressing. Jasmine Records’ Just in Time: The Rarest Tony Perkins offers another look at his rare recordings, while Jazz Messengers lists a CD combining Tony Perkins and On a Rainy Afternoon. You can also search for his recordings on Spotify or YouTube.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some crooning to investigate. Let’s hope Tony’s musical surprises are a little less disturbing than his cinematic ones!