I do think that what makes Rock of Ages a little different then most jukebox musicals is that they make several references to the fact that they are in fact, in a musical. Whereas, most other jukebox musicals try to treat themselves seriously and treat the songs as if they were in fact written for the show, when that in fact is not at all the case.
I do love this show and I do love the music in it. I am not, however, a fan of this whole notion that they gave themselves, that they were the little musical that could, due to the fact that they moved from Off Broadway and became a successful Broadway show. The only reason behind the move to Broadway was that they sold the film rights prior to the transfer, and it would be odd to make a film musical of an off Broadway show.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll