The Hawk traces the life and times of Ronnie Hawkins from his early rockabilly career in Arkansas playing alongside Bo Diddley, Conway Twitty, and Roy Orbison through his recording successes with Roulette Records, from his mentoring role with such "Hawks" as Roy Buchanan, The Band, Crowbar, and David Foster through friendships with Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and Kris Kristofferson to his recent return to the spotlight as a "Living Legend," to use the words of fellow Arkansan, President Bill Clinton.

As such, The Hawk presents an inside look at the rock'n'roll era from the vantage point of one of its leaders.