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The earliest track I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first single I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, 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 music store in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I inexplicably know all the words to
I not long ago realised that I have memorized virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best track to play at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can never hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ultimate track to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that changed my life
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. As soon as he placed the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The track that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the tune and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.