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The initial track I became enamored with
My earliest memory is walking into a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the sound effects, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a competition at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know all the words to
I recently became aware that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to play at a gathering
It hinges on which phase of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The track I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to learn the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
All music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.

The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.