Hugh Cornwell shares his top five musical moments

Published on Saturday 19 July 2008 13:46

CHANGING tracks

SMOKESTACK LIGHTNIN'

Howlin' Wolf

This had a lasting impression on me when I was about 11 because it had real mystery and I'd never heard anything like it before. It was very enticing and made me curious about rock music. He's got a very deep voice, almost conjuring up images of the devil.

SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN

Chuck Berry

This had a big effect upon me because I suddenly realised that music doesn't just have to be about mysterious things I don't understand, but can tell a story.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSES EYES AT ME FOR?

Emile Ford and the Checkmates

My aunt and uncle gave me this on vinyl for Christmas. I think my parents looked at them with a bit of a frown, because they weren't sure what world they were opening up to me. I was about nine years old and I'd never owned a record before, I'd never even seen one.

I CAN'T EXPLAIN

The Who

I started to play guitar a bit at school, and then I heard this and was knocked sideways with how exciting it was. I became a big fan of the Who, and when I was about 15 I used to go to the Marquee Club in Soho. I was there when the Who played their last club date before they went mega big. The lyrics are about someone who's got a feeling and can't put any words to it, and that described exactly how I felt.

GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF

The Stranglers

This one is a bit self-indulgent, but it has got a reason behind it. It reminds me of the first time I heard myself on the radio. It was a primal moment, on Radio 1, in 1976. I've heard myself all over the place, but you never quite get that same feeling that you do the first time – a bit like losing your virginity. I can't remember where I was going, but if I did know I lost complete sense of direction, it completely overtook my world.

Hugh Cornwell plays the Wickerman Festival, Saturday. His new album, Hooverdam, is available to download free at www.hooverdamdownload.com. www.hughcornwell.com