Both unemployed, they nonetheless both have something to offer: John has a five-foot-high stack of original soul singles, and Ritchie has disco equipment plus an old ice cream van which has been converted into what he describes as "the Popemobile with attitude."
Although the duo bond over the music and the sense of adventure, things start off badly after they are mistakenly booked for a geriatrics evening entertainment (Ritchie: “How was I supposed to know?
The bloke just asked if we were a '60s disco...”) Despite hoping that their next booking will be at "a posh house party in a Wirral mansion", it turns out to be a wedding reception in a Kirkby pub.
After a quick drink (and a "French Revolution"), Kecks tells them to “take it to our kid's in the morning and he will fix it free of charge.” He then offers them a bit of paid work moving some gear from his lock up.
When the parcels are safely in Kecks's flat he gives the lads £20 and says, “er... and if anything else goes wrong with the van, tough shit!“ and closes the door on them.
As John and Ritchie have a few days to travel, they decide to zig-zag to their destination because they are worried about being pursued by the cockney gangsters and the police.
Richie implies to the landlord's pretty daughter Susan (Cherie Lunghi) that he and John are musicians travelling with Earth, Wind & Fire.
Mindful of his AWOL status, John becomes increasingly agitated, particularly when Curtis insists that he and Richie join him for a beer inside the base.
Curtis invites volunteers to perform with the Allstars and Richie persuades John to join him on stage where the two sing "Drift Away" to rapturous applause, and reconcile.
Astonished by the change in his friend's circumstances, John asks what has happened: Richie explains, enigmatically, that he was "left some money", and that they have a gig in Pasadena.
The film has a strong following, but contractual problems[3] and the costs of licensing the soundtrack music have prevented it from being distributed on video or DVD.