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The initial track I was captivated by
My most primal memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The very first record I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I strangely recite each line to
I recently became aware that I have memorized pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best song to put on at a party
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d work through Prince, 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 never bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that brings me to tears
Most music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going every time.

The track 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 buried, I’ll have Way Down.