Bruce Springsteen refused to let a torrential downpour ruin his pre-birthday gig in his home state of New Jersey on Saturday and performed until the early hours of Sunday for delighted fans.

The rocker was three hours late for the crowd at MetLife Stadium because of heavy rain and fears of lightning, but he was eventually given the go-ahead to take to the stage at 10.30pm local time.

The show turned out to be a special event for Springsteen, who turned 63 on Sunday.

He was presented with a giant birthday cake in the shape of a guitar, and he shared the sweet treat with a select few audience members.

The star's mother Adele also joined her son onstage and was seen singing and dancing to Twist and Shout - before walking offstage with her son and his band after the mega-gig finished at almost 2am.