The story of legendary jazz drummer, Gene Krupa. Since his youth, all Gene ever wanted to do is play the drums and make music. This is something his parents would not approve of- they want him to be a priest. When Gene's father dies he promises to enter the priesthood. He soon realizes that he doesn't belong there and leaves to join his friend, Eddie's band. Ethel, Eddie's girlfriend, convinces Gene to go to New York and make it big. The 3 of them head to New York. Here Ethel and Gene soon fall in love and Gene makes a name for himself. Gene starts to live in the fast lane, with drugs, alcohol, women and parties. Ethel, unhappy with Gene's lifestyle, leaves him. Gene soon "hits rock bottom" where he has to face reality and choose where to take his life.

Un lungo periodo della vita (1909-73) del famoso batterista americano bianco Gene Krupa, da Chicago a New York, dalle prime modeste scritture al successo.

La historia del legendario batería de jazz Gene Krupa. Desde su juventud, todo lo que ha querido hacer Gene es tocar la batería y hacer música. Sin embargo sus padres no lo aprueban, ya que quieren que se convierta en sacerdote.