If there was any question that Mary J. Blige [ tickets ] is the reigning queen of soul, it was answered Thursday (1/31) at Glendale, AZ's Jobing.com Arena during the NFL's "Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash."

Every time Blige finished a song--which ranged from the rollicking classic "Real Love" to her latest hit, the funky "Just Fine"--fans overwhelmed her with their zealous response. Even when she suffered microphone problems during the beginning of "Just Fine," she whipped off her glasses to ravenous applause.

Aside from the mic problems, the sound quality was fantastic. Keeping the vocal gymnastics to a minimum, Blige impressed with her range and dead-on vocals.

Backed by a tight, seven-piece band that included two back-up singers, Blige shared stories of her tumultuous life before finding peace. Her set included a retrospective of hits. The telling "Roses" was a smash with the audience of about 10,000, as was her cover of U2's "One." In an evening packed with special guests, primarily football players, Blige also welcomed R&B newcomer Ne-Yo to the stage.

For the event, which will air Saturday (2/2) night on VH1, Jobing.com Arena was turned into an intimate nightclub. Chandeliers in the shape of snowflakes hung from the ceiling. A curtain of lights served as a video screen behind the grand stage that included a walkway led to a circular Pepsi logo. Football-shaped video screens book-ended the stage. A pit was available for fans in front of the stage, while those who wanted to chill could sit in a VIP dining area at each end of the set.

Actor Jerry O'Connell ("Crossing Jordan," "Las Vegas") served as the evening's host. Among NFL players who stopped by were the San Diego Chargers' Antonio Gates, the Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez and the Baltimore Ravens' Todd Heap. Amani Toomer of the Super Bowl-bound New York Giants and Adam Vinatieri of the Indianapolis Colts sang Blige's praises.

Maroon 5 [ tickets ] singer Adam Levine proved he can certainly play up to the camera. During a concert last year at the Detroit area's The Palace of Auburn Hills, Levine remained stoic throughout the show, letting the music speak for itself. But at the "Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash," Levine was animated and entertaining. He danced across the stage and approached the crowd as he spread his legs and opened his jacket. Teasing the audience, he bent down and shook his shoulders at a slew of female fans.

The band kicked off with its hit "Make Me Wonder," during which he let an F-bomb drop, apologizing later for what will be bleeped for the VH1 broadcast. He encouraged audience participation during "This Love" by putting his hand to his ear to hear fans sing. At one point, the band began "Harder to Breathe" but Levine stopped it after guitarist James Valentine made an error. "There will be no mistakes here," he said half smiling. "I don't care. I'll start this s--- over again."

Blige showed off her rock chops, joining Maroon 5 for a duet of "Wake Up Call." It was spectacular. "Ain't she wonderful," Levine said.

Indeed.