B.B. King and Eric Clapton At The Crossroads Festival 2010

The Best That Blues Has To Offer

On June 26, the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival was held in Bridgeview, IL at the Toyota Park. This music festival doubles as a benefit concert which began on June 30, 1999. The very first one happened in Madison Square Garden, New York. The proceeds would go to the Crossroads Centre which is a rehabilitation center for alcohol and drug addiction. It was founded by Eric Clapton & Richard Conte.

It showcased several talented guitarists which were carefully hand-picked by Clapton. In 2010, B.B. King played with Jimmie Vaughan, The Robert Cray Band and Eric Clapton himself. The King starts his set with a powerful piece — “The Thrill is Gone.”

“I do it because I want to hear these players,” Eric Clapton says, during an exclusive interview announcing his third Crossroads Guitar Festival. “But it’s a selfish thing,” he admits delightedly. “I can go to one place and hear all of my favorite musicians in one day.” — Rolling Stone

B.B. King is a returning veteran of the previous benefit concerts and it’s little wonder why — he’s the ultimate bluesman. He has played alongside several other legendary artists and has released numerous timeless classics. He always puts on a great show and gives epic performances every single time.

Asked what the Crossroads festivals have achieved in greater public awareness of his peers and influences and the art of guitar playing, Clapton modestly responds, “I have no idea.” But the guitarist contends that Crossroads is not a typical music festival in that “it comes from the heart of a musician. It’s not a business deal, and there is an enlightenment in that. People realize we really love what we do. And hopefully,” Clapton adds, “it gets better every time. That’s the deal.” — Rolling Stone