🔗 Share this article

The earliest track I fell in love with
My earliest memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to choose a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely know each line to
I just realised that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal tune to play at a gathering
It hinges on which phase 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 Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

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

The ultimate song to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that transformed me
When I was twelve and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The song that motivates me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The piece that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and pure brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord every time.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
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.