During the summer of 1972, Karl Hartmann celebrates his eighteenth birthday and experiences many changes and awakenings in his life. Drawn to the raw, gritty sounds of rock and roll, he defies his strict father and buys himself a guitar—a choice that leads him down a road that will soon take him away from home.

Another big change in Karl's life occurs when he falls in love with a young woman named Anne Marie. She inspires him to write a love song that will someday become a hit. But Anne, four years his senior, is engaged to be married, and he realizes their love can never be. He pushes her from his heart and mind so he can dedicate himself to his musical aspirations.

A fight with his father pushes Karl to finalize his decision to leave home. He heads to New York City with a group of other young men who share his dream, and together, they embark on a journey to make it big in the music world.

Four years pass. Successful but exhausted by the many demands of his career, Karl takes a week off to return home for a visit. Much to his surprise, he discovers the love he has always longed for and begins a new journey that brings him more fulfillment than his career ever could.