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The initial tune I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and John Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I purchased
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance 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 record shop in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.

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

The track I oddly remember all the words to
I recently became aware that I have memorized almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The ideal song to put on at a party
It depends on which phase 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 move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an massive track.

The number I can not bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

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

The LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock music. The moment he put 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 track that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and pure perfection of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.

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