🔗 Share this article

The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I picked out 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 Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I perform at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I inexplicably remember each line to
I just became aware that I have memorized pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The best track to put on at a party
It relies on which phase of the event you are at. At the start it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can no longer bear
I for some reason cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and beginning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was fixated on Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the vinyl on the turntable, I was hooked.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.

The song that makes me cry
Virtually any music leaves me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer brilliance of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.

The song 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.