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The first tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I purchased
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I inexplicably know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to play at a gathering
It depends on the point of the evening 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 work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The number I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the melody and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The track I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.