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The first tune I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a room at nursery school where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely recite each line to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall pretty much 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 ideal track to play at a gathering
It depends on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Rolling 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 massive track.

The track I can not listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

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