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The first track I became enamored with
My first memory is walking into a room 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 hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, 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 noted that it was by one of the Beatles.

The song I do at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The piece I inexplicably know each line to
I not long ago discovered that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The best tune to put on at a gathering
It depends on which phase of the party you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, 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 track I can no longer bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was hooked.

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

The song that makes me cry
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music 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.