Prince's backup band to reunite for 2 shows in musician's honour

Singer Prince performs in concert on 1985. (AP)

MINNEAPOLIS -- The band that helped catapult Prince to international superstardom is reuniting in his memory.

The Revolution, which backed up Prince in the 1980s, will play two shows Sept. 2-3 at First Avenue, the downtown Minneapolis nightclub where Prince and the Revolution filmed "Purple Rain."

The Revolution said Wednesday that they and the world mourned Prince "with profound loss and apocalyptic grief" after learning of his death in April.

The shows will feature Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Brownmark, Dr. Fink, and Bobby Z, with special guests Dez Dickerson and Andre Cymone, who were Prince's sidemen early in his career.

The Revolution disbanded in 1986 but reunited for a few shows without Prince, including a 2012 benefit.

Tickets go on sale Friday, with a presale Thursday through a Minnesota Public Radio station.