Richard Steven Valenzuela is a normal teenage boy who becomes a Rock and roll superstar under the stage name Ritchie Valens. He meets and falls in love with high school classmate Donna Ludwig, for whom he writes a song that becomes a number two hit, (Donna (Ritchie Valens song)). However, Donna's father has issues with his daughter dating a Mexican Americans, which causes friction between Ritchie and Donna. Ritchie's relationship with his mother Connie and half-brother Bob Morales, and the jealousy Bob feels toward Ritchie's success are also depicted.