He became known as a writer for one of the UK's most famous music magazines, New Musical Express, before becoming a broadcaster for both BBC Radio One and BBC Radio Five.
His favorite album is "Countdown to Ecstasy" by Steely Dan.
The first single he bought was "Because" by The Dave Clark Five.
He was in the year above the renowned movie actor Gary Oldman at West Greenwich Secondary Modern School, a state school in Deptford, Lewisham, in south east London.