Prince's 50th birthday

Prince's self-titled debut album came out way back in 1979. The cover image sets the tone for the following three decades of freaky-looking fun Photograph: Public domain

Prince starred in the 1984 Purple Rain movie. The accompanying soundtrack scooped him an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. Photograph: Warner Brothers /Retna

Here's a Purple Rain promotional shot. Scientists recently concluded that throughout the 80s, Prince looked 37.2 times cooler than the average pop star Photograph: Public domain

Nice, France, October 27, 1985: Prince and guitarist Wendy Melvoin, of the band Prince and the Revolution, perform on stage at the Theatre de Verdure for the shooting of a music video. Little did he know that this look would be back in fashion 23 years later in Hoxton pubs Photograph: Richard Melloul/Corbis

Prince and the New Power Generation, on tour in the US. Rumour has it that many of the band quit shortly after this picture was taken, unhappy with Prince's demands that musicians should always stand at a 45-degree angle Photograph: Bureau L.A. Collection/Corbis

Frankfurt, Germany, February 14, 1996: Prince and his then wife Mayte Garcia perform live on stage in Frankfurt. It's a level of showmanship that shows up the Courteeners Photograph: Pioneer Press /AP

This portrait is from 1996, the year Prince released Chaos and Disorder, his final album for Warner Brothers, ending years of bitter skirmishes with the label. Unsurprisingly, it features such songs as Dig U Better Dead Photograph: Jeff Katz /PR

New York, US, March 15, 2004: The 19th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Prince performed after being inducted alongside such luminaries as George Harrison, Jackson Browne and, er, ZZ Top Photograph: Kevin Mazur /Getty

Hollywood, USA, February 29, 2005: Prince and Manuela Testolini arrive at the 77th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater. Prince presented the award for Best Original Song. Unfortunately, it went to "Al otro lado del río" (On the other side of the river). Prince's attempt at pronouncing this title provoked much hilarity Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Getty

London, UK, November 14, 2006: Beyonce Knowles and Prince at the Alexandra Palace. Yet another induction ceremony, this time at the UK Music Hall of Fame. He must be getting bored of them by now Photograph: Anthony Harvey /Getty

Miami Gardens, February 4, 2007: Prince performs with his famous guitar during the 'Pepsi Halftime Show' at Super Bowl XLI between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears at the Dolphin Stadium. His appearance ensured it was the fourth most-watched programme in US TV history, coming in right behind the M*A*S*H* finale Photograph: Frank Micelotta/Getty

Pasadena, USA, June 1, 2007: Prince performs on stage during the 2007 NCLR ALMA Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The awards celebrate Hispanic achievement in the arts. Kind of like a Latin American MOBOS. Only with Prince playing live. And Eva Longoria presenting them. So much better then Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty

London, UK, August 24, 2007: Prince performs during a concert at the O2 Arena. "You can't handle me! I got too many hits!" he shouted at the audience. Photograph: Kevin Mazur /Getty