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The earliest tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at karaoke
I honestly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely know every lyric to
I not long ago became aware that I know virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to play at a soirée
It relies on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can never listen to
I inexplicably loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was a fan for life.

The track that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The track that gets me emotional
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

The music I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.