Prince: a timeline of controversy

1981: Such was Prince's penchant for raising eyebrows, his fourth album was called Controversy and features subtle song titles such as Sexuality, Do Me Baby and Jack U Off Photograph: Public Domain

1986: Prince disbands his group the Revolution and fires integral Revolutionaries Wendy and Lisa when they said they weren't getting the credit they deserved Photograph: Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis

1990: Sinead O'Connor records an internationally acclaimed version of prince's Nothing Compares 2 U. Often described as the definitive version, Prince managed to offend O'Connor when he expressed disapproval over her use of bad language. O'Connor's response? 'Go fuck yourself.' Photograph: Graham Wiltshire/Getty

1993: Following pressure from his record label Warner Brothers over the release of his album The Gold Experience, Prince takes to appearing in public with the word Slave daubed on his cheek. Photograph: Brian Rasic/ Rex features/BRA

1993: Prince announces he is changing his name to an unpronounceable squiggle, and is to be referred to as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince (TAFKAP). However, people continue to call him Prince and there's really nothing TAFKAP can do about it Photograph: Kevork Djansezian/AP

2001: Prince declares he is a Jehova's Witness and records an album, The Rainbow Children, inspired by his faith. Fans can still hear him perform some of his raunchier numbers, but expect lyric changes such as: “You can't seem to make up your mind, I think you better close it, and let me guide you ... to the Bible” Photograph: MJ Kim/Getty Images

2007: The singer's fans turn on him and form Prince Fans United, after the 50-year-old cracks down on unauthorised online use of his image or music Photograph: Chris Carlson/AP

2007: Prince provokes the wrath of the music industry (as well as a few liberals) by giving away his album Planet Earth with every copy of the Mail on Sunday Photograph: Public Domain

2008: Prince takes on even more of the internet and picks a fight with YouTube, eBay and Pirate Bay for encouraging copyright violation. Prince has footage of him performing Creep at Coachella 2008 removed from YouTube, until Radiohead reminded him it was actually their song and their decision to 'let people hear it' Photograph: Screen Grab

2009: Just when you thought you knew what Prince would say next, he tells US talk-show host Tavis Smiley that his childhood epilepsy was cured by angels Photograph: Screen grab