The earliest tune I was captivated by
My earliest recollection is walking into a space at kindergarten where they were blasting Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The inaugural single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings 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 track I sing at karaoke
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But under duress, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The song I oddly remember all the words to
I just became aware that I can recall pretty much every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and every song on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect track to put on at a party
It depends on which phase of the party 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 work through Prince, the Stones and David 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 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 LP that transformed me
When I was twelve and beginning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was consumed by The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, the New Orleans legend, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. 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 AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The track that makes me cry
Most music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
