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The earliest track I became enamored with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I frankly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I strangely know every lyric to
I just became aware that I can recall almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to play at a party
It depends on the point of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can never listen to
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to play the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. 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.