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The first track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
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 remember all the words to
I just discovered that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal track to play at a soirée
It depends on what stage of the evening you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to the Artist, 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 Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can not bear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard consistently.

The music I’d like to be played 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.