🔗 Share this article

The initial song I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is entering a space at preschool 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 arrived at the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and steer clear at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely know every lyric to
I not long ago realised that I know almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to play at a gathering
It hinges on what stage of the party you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d transition into Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

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

The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. 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 dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The song that makes me cry
Most music leaves me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and sheer brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.