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The earliest track I was captivated by
My most primal recollection is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first 45 I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I chose 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 Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably remember every lyric to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal tune to play at a party
It relies on what stage of the event you are at. Early doors it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The track I can no longer hear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that transformed me
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he placed the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
All music leaves me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the harmony and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.

The music I’d like performed at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.