The Showstoppers – Ain’t Nothin’ But a Houseparty. The first record I ever ‘spun’ as a DJ – at my hall of residence disco Woolton hall, Manchester University in 1976. I pinched the 7 inch vinyl copy and it is on the wall of my office now.

Dr.Feelgood – She Does It Right. This is a burst of manic r’n'b energy from the band that had a massive impact on me as detailed in the opening chapter.

David Bowie is the closest thing I’ll ever have to a musical hero as explained in the book – and I could have chosen any one of dozens of his tracks but I’ve chosen one of his songs done by someone else. This is because this record just brings back being a
teenager and first tasting freedom. It is All The Young Dudes, by Mott the Hoople.

Kate Bush featuresd prominently in the book and I continually go back to her haunting This Woman’s Work.

The title of my previous book (a novel) was Northern Sky – inspired by the Nick Drake song. I’d have this played at my funeral.

I was massively energised by punk rock as detailed in my first book Showbusiness – my life changed forever in this period and so to bring it back I’d choose Blitzkrieg Bop by The Ramones.

The first record I ever bought was Virginia Plain by Roxy Music.

I’ve spent most of my adult life in Manchester and have witnessed the music scene change and re-generate many times. The era that I felt most in tune with though was the post-punk days of factory Records and Joy Division’s Transmission would pretty
much sum it up. Transmission was also the name of my first radio show which was on Piccadilly Radio and is covered in the book.

I shared a love of the band Stereolab with John Peel and so by them I would choose French Disko.

Finally I talk in the book about winning Stars in their eyes as Shane MacGowan and his songs have been a great influence on my own songwriting and band, so, I’ll have The Pogues and A pair of Brown Eyes.

Over and out. M

Watch a playlist with all of these tracks on YouTube.

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