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The earliest track I fell in love with
My first memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I do at karaoke
I honestly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely know each line to
I recently discovered that I know pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune 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 Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can never bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ideal track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and utter beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

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