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The first tune I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the refrain, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a competition at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I bought with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a music store 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 tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably remember all the words to
I not long ago discovered that I know almost 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 tune to put on at a soirée
It depends on which phase of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d transition into the Artist, the 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 undeniable hit.

The song I can never listen to
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The record that changed my life
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. The moment he put the vinyl on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The song that gets me emotional
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going every time.

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