The story of American music in the 20th century is seen through the eyes of 4 generations of a Russian-Jewish immigrant family as they struggle to get by through . The film begins with Zalmie who...

The story of American music in the 20th century is seen through the eyes of 4 generations of a Russian-Jewish immigrant family as they struggle to get by through . The film begins with Zalmie who flees Czarist Russia for the United States as a child, gets involved in Burlesque and Vaudeville and can never get his big break, and eventually joins the Mafia. Zalmie's son, Benny is an aspiring musician about to hit it big when is killed in World War II, leaving behind a wife and an unborn son, Tony. Tony becomes a songwriter for a San Fransisco rock group, but meets his end after he becomes addicted to and starts dealing drugs. Finally, Pete, Tony's illegitimate son and partner in the drug dealing, finds a way to escape his past and become a rock superstar.