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The earliest song I became enamored with
My first recollection is entering a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably recite all the words to
I not long ago became aware that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal track to put on at a gathering
It depends on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can never hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was a fan for life.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the melody and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The music I’d like played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.