🔗 Share this article

The earliest track I became enamored with
My earliest recollection is stepping into a room at preschool where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the sound effects, and Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the chorus, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The first 45 I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to select a new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose 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 music store in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my dad mentioned that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The song I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid karaoke and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The song I oddly know every lyric 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 every song on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect track to blast at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the party you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can not hear
I strangely loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

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

The LP that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, the New Orleans legend, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. As soon as he dropped the record on the record player, I was captivated.

The track that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.

The piece that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles all make me cry because of the harmony and sheer perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The music I’d like to be played at my funeral
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.