Loosely based on the life of iconic rocker Janis Joplin, the film follows a superstar called The Rose on her last tour. The extroverted performer is actually lonely and insecure, and being exploited by her greedy manager. Rose (Bette Midler) falls in love with a limousine driver named Houston and he believes he can save her from self-destruction. But her drugs, sex and rock and roll lifestyle and exhausting touring schedule overwhelm her and Rose dies onstage from a drug overdose at the beginning of her homecoming concert.