Photo: Jo LopezBruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's first-ever show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Wednesday proved to be a historic night.  The Backstreets fan site reports that the group's original drummer, Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez, made a surprise appearance to perform "E Street Shuffle," a song on which the beat keeper is featured from Springsteen's 1973 album The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle.

Before Lopez made his unexpected entrance, the lights came up on stage to reveal an empty drum kit.  Bruce then declared, "Where did *** [Weinberg] go?  What happened to the drummer?  He got sick -- we need an M.D.!"  The tune featured a drum-off between Vini and E Street Band percussionist Everett Bradley.

Lopez returned during the finale and played some tambourine during the evening's last two numbers, "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" and "Twist and Shout."

Springsteen's wife and E Street Band backing singer Patti Scialfa, who last appeared at one of the Boss' shows in July, was also back on stage with the group for the gig.  Bruce and company play two more concerts at MetLife Stadium this week, on Thursday and Friday.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio