Among the stacked lineup of headliners at the 2015 Penticton Peach Festival is Barney Bentall – and for the first time in two years, he’ll be backed by the Legendary Hearts.
The group disbanded in 1997 but still realign for special occasions. It’s akin to Neil Young playing together with Crosby, Stills and Nash.
“When the Legendary Hearts get together, it’s like OK let’s do what we do – let’s just be that good rock band that had the good fortune of having a bunch of hits on the radio, and let’s go play those songs,” Bentall told Western News.
“Another great thing when we do get together and play, we’re not doing it all the time, so you really realize how nostalgic you are for all those songs and how much you love playing them – we’re not out there just trying to relive those glory days.”
Despite circumstances forcing a two-year hiatus upon them, Bentall said there won’t be any rust.
“As soon as we get back on stage together, all those thousands of shows we did seems to come to the forefront right away,” he said.
“Everybody (in the Legendary Hearts) still plays music, either as part of their career or every weekend, and keep their musical chops sharp.”
He said audiences can expect to hear the hits and singles that were prominent in the late 1980s and 1990s, though he’ll also be sharing some recent work.
“You gotta (produce new music) to keep challenging yourself. But we keep it simple in that way and just try to make an entertaining show.”
Bentall recently returned to Western Canada after sharing his music with crowds at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
“It was great to feel the energy in the city that happens when a sporting event like that comes,” he said. “We were lucky in that way – lord knows we’re not going to get there athletically.”
And much like the Pan Am Games, Peachfest will offer Bentall the opportunity to work outside.
“I love fun, outdoor shows in a summertime environment; just the festival atmosphere.”
However, Bentall also has warm memories of a few indoor shows that he played at the Dream Café.
“Penticton’s always a mainstay for us in terms of playing there,” he said. “As far as cities in the Okanagan, it’s my favourite. I really like Penticton – Kelowna’s gotten very… big.”
Along with the Legendary Hearts, Bentall will be the final performer of the opening evening of Peachfest which is August 5th. Their set time is 9:15 p.m.
“It’s great to be coming to Penticton, to revisit our days gone by with Peachfest – it really is wonderful to hear those songs again and play them with the people that we recorded them with.”
While the entire group hasn’t released new music since 1997, Bentall and other members of the Legendary Hearts have been leading active solo careers. Bentall has released five albums since 2006.
The other musical headliners of Peachfest are 54-40 and George Canyon which take place on August 6 and 7 respectively.
