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The earliest tune I fell in love with
My first memory is walking into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first single I acquired
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to pick a brand new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased 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 pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I sing at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

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

The ideal song to put on at a party
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. At the start it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through Prince, the Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The song I can not bear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was a fan for life.

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

The piece that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

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