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The initial tune I became enamored with
My first memory is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first single 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 mini disco 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 bought with my own pocket money 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 mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly do not enjoy karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly know each line to
I just discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on which phase of the evening 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 work through Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The track I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The song that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

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