JIMI Love leads a nine-piece band in Purple Rain, a celebration of the music, life and legacy of Prince, at York Barbican on April 12.

Love's tribute show has been running for 11 years, replete with a horn section, backing singers and keyboards, and it takes in such Prince landmarks as 1999, Little Red Corvette, Purple Rain, Kiss, Diamonds And Pearls, U Got The Look, When Doves Cry, Cream and I Wanna Be Your Lover in a running time of more than two hours.

Jimi Love, on lead vocals and guitar, is joined by Andy T, bass and vocals; Amanda B, drums and vocals; Tony T, keyboards; Emma Blakk, keyboards and vocals; Renato, keys, guitar and vocals; Sheila MG, trumpet; Yasmin, alto sax, and N8 H, tenor sax.

"I've been into Prince since I was ten," says Love. "My godfather played me Let's Go Crazy in his car and I was blown away by the energy. I washed so many cars to raise the £10 needed to buy Purple Rain on vinyl, my first Prince album! I loved music as a kid and thought performers like Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury were as good as it got, but Prince was in a league of his own."

After playing in various bands in his late teens and early 20s, one November night Love ended up jamming Purple Rain, having never previously learnt a Prince number. "In the pub, later that night, I started the band Purple Rain," he says, and so his reign as a Prince tribute began.

"I've always tried to avoid being a Prince impersonator. There was only one Prince, and he was just so far ahead of anyone as a musician and performer, to impersonate him is just an impossible task. This band has always been about playing the music in the spirit of Prince. Yes, we dress up a bit for the vibe, but the fact I'm quite short, play guitar and look a bit like him is just coincidence. We all just love jamming his songs and introducing his music to new people," Love adds.

"Since April 21st last year [the day Prince died], the whole thing has taken on new meaning. Every gig is dedicated to Prince now, a celebration of all the gifts he left and the impact he had on so many lives, including mine. I don't think I'll ever be able to play Purple Rain again without a tear in my eye."

Tickets for April 12's 8pm show are on sale on 0844 854 2757, at yorkbarbican.co.uk and from the Barbican box office. Purple Rain, A Celebration Of Prince also plays Leeds City Varieties on April 16; tickets, 0113 243 0808; Scarborough Spa Theatre, December 1, 01723 821 888.