MY SIX BEST ALBUMS

ALBERT HAMMOND, 73, is the singer-songwriter whose best-known solo releases are It Never Rains In Southern California and The Free Electric Band. He has written dozens of hits for artists including Leo Sayer, The Hollies and Whitney Houston. His new album In Symphony is out now and he plays the Cadogan Hall, London on September 19. BUDDY HOLLY: The Chirping Crickets (Intermusic) The first album I bought. Buddy inspired me to do what I do.

I asked my father’s barber, a flamenco player in Gibraltar, to teach me three chords so I could play these songs. I then formed a group, the Diamond Boys. THE BEATLES: Abbey Road (EMI) The B side of this was a masterpiece where the songs intermingled. That was new to me and that discovery makes you feel something extra special. It inspired me. I’d thought that The Beatles were going to be just another pop group but wow. CAT STEVENS: Tea For The Tillerman (Polydor) Another inspiration. In his heyday, he was brilliant. He was spiritual and that was important to me. I love Father And Son. I was thinking of doing that with my son who’s in The Strokes. He said no! EVERLY BROTHERS: Greatest Hits (Not Now) My uncle owned jukeboxes in Gibraltar so I got all these as singles. I loved even the obscure songs. They had beautiful voices and the blend of harmonies was incredible, even though they hated each other. I recorded All I Have To Do Is

Dream in the early ’60s. MARVIN GAYE: What’s Going On (Motown) Another masterpiece. It sounds so live and beautiful with all those voices coming in and out. It’s a record I could hear over and over again and never get tired of it. If there’s anything missing in my life I would say it’s a voice like Marvin’s. PINK FLOYD: The Wall (EMI) Magical and inspirational. The way it was produced was wonderful. I think Roger Waters is a genius. I love the sound of the guitars and it takes me on a journey. There’s a story to it. If I’m driving and it’s on the radio, I put the volume up to 12. A piece of art.