Old T-shirts were everywhere, but none like my 40-year-old Zappa. Dozens of blues lovers tipped their hats to me through the day, including many 20-somethings. We jammed all day to heavy blues from grand masters and future blues greats. The sold-out Crossroads blues festival at Chicago's Toyota Park last weekend was exhausting, a testament to the strength and vitality of the genre inspired by Mississippi's Robert Johnson.

Chicago's own Bill Murray provided color commentary throughout the show. His love of the music and rousing introductions made the afternoon pass too quickly.

On a warm yet dry afternoon, statements were made, particularly by John Mayer. That kid knocks out scintillating riffs with mysterious brilliance. His face glowed. It was a passing of the torch. I think I saw a halo ...

ZZ Top kicked their signature commercial hits from the '70s into the crowd -- after "Jesus Just Left Chicago," I was feeling a bit punch-drunk.

Other warm-up acts included Sonny Landreth, Earl Klugh, Derek Trucks, Robert Burton, Jonny Lang. Vince Gill can play hard blues. Hubert Sumlin sported an oxygen tube. Robert Randolph, Citizen Cope, Richard Burton, Robert Cray.

The Zappa T worked up a clammy sweat with Sheryl Crow and company. She is recognized by many as a queen of the blues. Susan Tedeschi is right on her heels, though. She exhausted me and killed the crowd in true Joplin style. Murray cleared the air for successive musicians.

Tributes to Jimi Hendrix were sprinkled throughout the day. It didn't matter that Johnny Winter struggled though "Red House." His guitar was pathetic, he knew it, and the crowd did, too. I'm sure his shaky appearance was admired by almost everyone there.

The wooden face of Ron Wood brought in the first crescendo. He and Buddy Guy tattooed Toyota Park with "Miss You." We could feel Buddy's broad smile and exquisite guitar harmony.

After dark, Jeff Beck throttled the sweaty Zappa T. If anyone could steal his show, it was his bassist. She provided a rock-hard bottom with a stand-up bass and bow. Fabulous. But nothing caps Beck's groundbreaking fusion of jazz and slashing guitar.

During his days with the Yardbirds and the Bluesbreakers, thousands of Brits claimed: "Clapton is God." Though the decades, the humble guitar hero considered this praise ridiculous. He backed up artists several times during the day with vocals and downplayed guitar. During his set, however, "Crossroads" and "Cocaine" confirmed the "ridiculous" title. Yeah, right, Eric -- you are a god. Wavy Gravy: "We must be in heaven, man ..."

As expected, the baton was handed to Steve Winwood. Clapton and Winwood stormed into Blind Faith's "Had to Cry Today." Traffic's "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and a couple of other favorites rounded out Winwood's appearance.

Near the end of the show, B.B. King's ramblings displayed the onset of Alzheimer's. But the 84-year-old showed that he still has the magical mojo, he knows it, the world knows it.

At the close of the 10-hour spectacle, B.B. was joined by Jimmie Vaughan (in tribute to Stevie Ray), Cray (heralded as the future of blues) and the ever-gracious Clapton. The day's entire lineup took the stage and celebrated with "Sweet Home Chicago." Pummeled by joy was I.

(Health care CEOs: Send a sales rep to the next Crossroads Festival. Many of these die-hard blues fans will soon be shopping for adult day care centers ... follow the faded T's.)

Bluepoint1@comcast.net