Just pick one you like from a role-playing standpoint. You don't have to be the most efficient player ever, what matters is to have fun (and yeah, depending on what companions you bring along, you will have to learn how to manage different classes anyway).
The first character I ever played 17 years ago when I was a literal kid was a bard. Definitely not the easiest class to grasp but it's still my favourite after all these years.
I play Bard/Minstrel classes in every MMO I play, and for me that will be another class I start with... but him... I've recommended Fighter/Champion but wanted to gather thoughts from others.
I'm sure he will play whatever he likes, but he wants an "easy" class with which to start. I told him he'll probably have a pretty good handle on the game by the end of Chapter 1, if not sooner, and can always respec... an idea he likes.
