🔗 Share this article

The initial tune I was captivated by
My first recollection is walking into a space at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I chose it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

The tune I sing at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely remember all the words to
I just discovered that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to put on at a gathering
It depends 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 party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The track I can never hear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The ultimate track to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he dropped the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me touched. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.