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The earliest tune I became enamored with
My earliest memory is entering a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I strangely know each line to
I just realised that I have memorized almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The perfect tune to blast at a gathering
It relies on which phase of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best song to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
All music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the harmony and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.