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The earliest track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first single I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my dad pointed out that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I candidly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I oddly remember every lyric to
I just 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 track to blast at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The number I can not listen to
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going consistently.

The song I’d like performed at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.