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The first track I was captivated by
My earliest memory is entering a space at kindergarten where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”

The first record I acquired
When I was eight, I won a contest at school to select a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Colne. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The piece I oddly know each line to
I not long ago became aware that I can recall virtually all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect song to put on at a party
It depends on which phase of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.

The song I can not bear
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The best song to make love to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my childminder introduced me to Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was hooked.

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

The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the tune and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.

The track I’d like to be played at my funeral
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.