Rock of Ages is a rock musical set in 1987, revolving around the lives of several characters on
Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. The story is narrated by Lonny Barnett, who introduces Drew Boley,
an aspiring rocker working as a busboy at the Bourbon Room, a struggling club owned by
Dennis Dupree. Drew falls for Sherrie Christian, a young woman who has just arrived in LA from
Kansas, hoping to make it big in acting. He convinces Dennis to hire her as a waitress, and the
two begin to form a bond.
Meanwhile, the Sunset Strip faces a looming threat from German developers, Hilda Klinemann
and her son Franz, who plan to demolish the club and clean up the area. To save the Bourbon
Room, Dennis persuades rock star Stacee Jaxx and his band, Arsenal, to perform their last
concert at the club. Drew struggles to find inspiration for his own music, while Sherrie
encourages him to pursue his dreams. As the night of Arsenal’s final show approaches, tensions
rise. Sherrie and Drew’s romantic connection deepens, though Drew mistakenly pushes her
away by claiming they are just friends.
Stacee arrives at the Bourbon Room, and Sherrie, feeling rejected by Drew, hooks up with
Stacee. Drew, unknowingly, performs at the club’s opening act, impressing a record producer.
Meanwhile, Stacee has Sherrie fired, and Drew, angered by her actions, dismisses her.
Heartbroken, Sherrie finds refuge at the Venus Club, where she begins working as an exotic
dancer under the mentorship of Justice Charlier, a fellow small-town girl. Meanwhile, Dennis
and Lonny continue fighting to save the Bourbon Room.
In Act II, tensions escalate as Hilda and Franz push forward with their demolition plans. Drew,
now under pressure to conform to his record label’s image, and Sherrie, grappling with her new
job, both struggle with their identities. They have a confrontation in the streets, where Sherrie
admits her love for Drew, but their relationship is strained. Stacee’s arrival at the Venus Club
sparks a confrontation between him and Sherrie, which culminates in Sherrie physically
attacking him. Drew arrives, witnesses the aftermath, and storms off, leaving Sherrie
devastated.
Meanwhile, Franz, realizing his own dreams are at odds with his father's plans, rebels and
declares his love for Regina, the City Planner who is protesting the redevelopment. He leaves
for Germany to pursue a career in the confectionery business. Dennis and Lonny, having
reconciled with their feelings for each other, prepare to say goodbye to the Bourbon Room.
As Drew’s dreams of rock stardom fade, he realizes that he doesn’t need fame to be happy—he
only wants to be with Sherrie. After a heart-to-heart with Lonny, Drew rushes to the train station
to confess his love to Sherrie, and they reconcile. The Bourbon Room is saved, and Stacee’s
career is in ruins. Franz opens his shop in Germany, and Regina becomes the mayor. Dennis
passes away, leaving the Bourbon Room to Lonny, while Drew and Sherrie start a family.