The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The first track I was captivated by
My first memory is entering a space at preschool where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The very first record I purchased
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I selected it when my father mentioned that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I honestly cannot stand public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The piece I oddly know every lyric to
I just 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 tune to play at a gathering
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. Early doors it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling 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 massive track.
The track I can never listen to
I for some reason detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to classic rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder played Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The tune that motivates me in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by The Genius.
The song that brings me to tears
Virtually any music leaves me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the melody and sheer beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going consistently.
The music I’d like played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.
