Plot

A Montreal construction worker joins a band and turns out to be a long-lost rock star from 1960s New Jersey - none other than Eddie Wilson, who mysteriously disappeared after a road accident.

In the early 1960s, legendary rock star Eddie Wilson disappeared from the limelight when he drove his car off a Jersey bridge. Trying to escape his past, Eddie changed his name and has maintained a quiet life in Montreal as a construction worker under the name Joe West. However, the past will not die, it is screaming for resolution. His relentless desire to make music pulls him back to the stage where he forms a new band and an even better sound. Meanwhile, record company executives release newly-discovered tapes from Eddie's last album and promotes a worldwide search for the mysterious rock star. Joe West has become both mentor and nucleus for his new band that dreams of succeeding without knowing their mysterious leader is the real Eddie Wilson. As his new band reaches center stage, Eddie finally comes to terms with his past, himself and his music.—MGM/UA Home Video

Satin Records, which twenty years earlier had rejected "A Season in Hell", the last album by the rock 'n' roll band Eddie and the Cruisers, launches an "Eddie Lives!" campaign to make more money from his image in a publicity stunt, despite them believing he is dead. The record company re-releases the band's first album, which becomes an even bigger hit than its original release. The master tapes from "A Season in Hell" that were discovered are released and become yet another hit album. A mystery tape -- proved by a voice expert to feature Eddie Wilson playing on it and that may or may not be recorded after Eddie's demise -- is discovered by the record company -- which then adds this discovery to the "Eddie Lives!" campaign in order to find anyone to resolve the matter

Meanwhile, Eddie Wilson (Michael Pare) is actually alive, having slipped away from the road accident and began a new life under an assumed name. Disgusted by the record company and wishing to leave this behind, the newly generated spotlight on his supposed demise angers the reclusive rock star, who now resides in Canada as construction worker Joe West. Eddie further camouflages his original appearance by growing his hair and sideburns out, along with a mustache.

Eddie gets involved with a struggling bar band, and his passion for music -- along with his desperate anger -- resurfaces, and a decision must be made to determine Eddie's fate for good. He challenges the bar band's talent, accepts an invitation to play and quickly dazzles the audience and the band's members. One of the band, sax player Hilton Overstreet's (Anthony Sherwood) eyes widen open when he first hears Eddie playing on guitar, but he says nothing. Eddie abruptly leaves the stage, disturbed by memories of Wendell Newton while Hilton plays a sax solo. Guitarist Rick Diesel (Bernie Coulson) pursues Eddie and badgers him about joining the band. Eddie finally begins to play again and the two circulate through Montreal's music scene, hand-picking musicians for a new band they call Rock Solid.

Eddie fights against his personal demons among the band's rising success as Rock Solid begins to tour and receive fans. Their popularity closely mirrors Eddie's former success with Eddie and the Cruisers, and he's disturbed by the similarities. During the tour, still known to the band as Joe, Eddie begins to have more frequent flashbacks to his former life. His anger and pride peak when Rick calls a woman they met at gig who wants the band to audition for an upcoming music festival. Eddie's angry tirade is soothed by Hilton's cool demeanor and Rick's fast talking. Eddie agrees to do the large public performance, under the condition that they lock themselves away inside a cabin, where there are "no distractions" so they can return to the music. The band begins to lose its focus and Eddie's wrath finally explodes. He smashes his guitar and storms out, determined never to play again.

Hilton confronts him at a campfire outside the cabin, where Eddie is burning his songs. Hilton then reveals that he knew Eddie's true identity after hearing him play for the first time back in the bar. He suggests that Eddie has no destiny but rock musician Eddie Wilson, not construction worker Joe West. When Eddie resists, Hilton reminds him that while he had his shot at success many years ago, this may be the only shot for his new band, and that Eddie owes them (including Hilton) that opportunity after bringing them this far. Eddie relents and rejoins the band.

All the while, Satin Records has been upping the ante for anyone who can provide solid proof that Eddie lives, after a music expert has proved that legendary Bo Diddley had played on the mystery tapes before the death of Cruisers sax player Wendell Newton and Eddie's presumed demise in the river. The music expert informs the campaign of Wendell's presence on the mystery tape -- publicly explaining that it was recorded before Eddie's supposed demise and that the idea that Eddie Wilson is alive is unproven. In seclusion for over a month, Rick is unaware of the mounting tension around the mystery of Eddie's whereabouts. He decides to send a tape to Satin Records a note to contains the line "I have a band and my lead singer sure sounds a lot like Eddie Wilson.".

After the band successfully auditions for the Music Festival, Eddie's doubts suddenly return. His life and his true identity and about to go public. In desperation, he reveals the truth to his girlfriend Diane Armani (Marina Orsini), who encourages him to just play, whether as Joe West or as Eddie Wilson. He then turns to his longtime friend and confidant Sal Amato (Matthew Laurance), this time returning to his clean-shaven and short-haired appearance. Sal and Eddie meet on a New Jersey beach and hash out 20 years of anger and grief. Sal demands to know where these "so-called mystery tapes were recorded". Eddie takes Sal back to the old abandoned church where in 1963, he and Wendell had a jam session with a large group a black musicians, including Bo Diddley. Eddie confesses that the whole affair made him feel inadequate on account of what seemed to be a lukewarm reception from the people whom Eddie had admired and aspired to be like. In one of his deeper moments, Sal tells Eddie a simple truth: it's not about setting the world on fire, it's about playing the music. Armed and primed with that sentiment in mind, Eddie returns to Montreal, ready to play the music festival.

However, in Canada, Rock Solid is about to take the stage when Rick's earlier ploy pays off; Satin Records' two executives appear and recognized Eddie. Being confronted by one of the two men who once told him his music was unsuitable for release, sends Eddie into a momentary lapse of judgment where he goes looking for another bridge to drive off. Diane runs after him and shouts that maybe they can find a bridge and do it right this time. She convinces him that although the world will discover who Joe West really is tomorrow, Eddie can still claim today for himself. Eddie is involved with the thrill of performing live again and the audience's acclaim for their first song "Running Through the Fire". Eddie introduces his bandmates one by one, except this time, Eddie willingly proclaims "and me. I'm Eddie Wilson." A breathless silence greets his announcement, then the massive audience begins to chant "Eddie! Eddie!" Eddie grins and shouts "Okay, let's rock and roll!" and the band launches into their next song as the ending credits roll.