When radio DJ and promoter Alan Freed announces a competition to find the next rock'n'roll superstar, who he'll name 'Johnny Melody', every teenager in America dreams that he could be the lucky winner. One such hopeful is Johnny (Jimmy Clanton) an orphan with everything Alan Freed is looking for, if only he can get his attention. With a little help from his girlfriend Julie (Sandy Stewart) and Freed's friend and rock legend Chuck Berry, Johnny is determined to see his name up in lights.