🔗 Share this article

The initial tune I was captivated by
My earliest memory is walking into a room at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I do at karaoke
I candidly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The song I oddly remember each line to
I not long ago became aware that I know pretty much the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal tune to play at a soirée
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would most likely 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 hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can no longer listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the turntable, I was captivated.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me moved. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the harmony and utter perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. 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.