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The earliest track I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at preschool 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 chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose 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 father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I inexplicably remember all the words to
I recently became aware that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to blast at a soirée
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the 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 number I can not hear
I strangely cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he put the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The song that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley strikes a chord without fail.

The song I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.