Above: Michael J. Fox plays the original Gibson ES-345 guitar during the “Enchantment Under the Sea” school dance scene of the film BACK TO THE FUTURE. Today, Gibson and the filmmakers launched a worldwide hunt for the original Gibson ES-345 used in the film, which went missing 40 years ago.
Gibson and Michael J. Fox Launch Global Search for Missing Guitar From Film ‘Back To The Future’
Gibson has launched a global search for the world-renowned Cherry Red Gibson ES-345™ guitar that Michael J. Fox played in the 1985 hit film, ‘Back To The Future’ which became the biggest film of 1985 in the U.S. and the second highest-grossing worldwide.
The stunning guitar was showcased during the beloved film’s unforgettable “Enchantment Under the Sea” school dance scene, a pop culture moment that has inspired many musicians to pick up guitars for the very first time after witnessing the character of Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) play the legendary song “Johnny B. Goode.” During the making of the 1989 sequel to the film, the filmmakers went to look for the guitar, and it was nowhere to be found. Now, music fans worldwide have the chance to help Gibson find the most important guitar in cinema history.
Fans who have any tips as to the whereabouts of the missing original Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 guitar that Michael J. Fox played in the film ‘Back To The Future’ can contact Gibson HERE or call/text 1-855-345-1955.
Watch/share the call-to-action video for the global guitar search featuring Emmy winner Michael J. Fox and his fellow stars of ‘Back To The Future’, including Lea Thompson, Emmy® winner Christopher Lloyd, Harry Waters Jr., GRAMMY® winner and Academy® Award nominee Huey Lewis, and more.
Lost To The Future-The Search For Marty McFly’s Back To The Future Guitar
Released on July 3, 1985, ‘Back To The Future’ scored an Academy Award® and three additional nominations and launched a franchise that would go on to earn almost $1 billion globally.
Directed by Oscar® winner Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Oscar® nominee Bob Gale, ‘Back To The Future’ was executive produced by three-time Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, eight-time Best Picture nominee Kathleen Kennedy and five-time Best Picture nominee Frank Marshall. The film was produced by Neil Canton and Bob Gale.
From the innovative storytelling and characters to the unforgettable guitar performance of the song “Johnny B. Goode,” the film has left an enduring impact on pop culture and remains one of the most beloved and culturally significant films of all time. The film continues to influence and inspire new generations of fans everywhere with its dynamic special effects, beloved characters, and innovative storytelling.
Above: A close-up view of Michael J. Fox playing the iconic Gibson ES-345 during the “Enchantment Under the Sea” scene of the film ‘Back To The Future’
The discovery of what happened to the film’s Gibson ES-345 would add a critical chapter to the film’s cinematic history.
“Guitar has always been a big part of my life,” says Michael J. Fox. “When we talked about the ‘Enchantment Under The Sea’ scene in Back to the Future, I sat down with the cinematographer and choreographer and said I want to riff through all of my favorite guitarists, like doing Jimi Hendrix behind the head, Pete Townshend doing a windmill, and the Eddie (Van Halen) hammer thing, it was so cool that they were open to that, and we laid it all out there. I’m really happy with the scene because it was an expression of my love for guitar and all the great players. I didn’t realize the influence the scene had on people, John Mayer said, ‘I play guitar because of you,’ and Chris Martin said the same thing, and I am glad they took it further than I did, they went to the trouble of being really good players. I just love the guitar, and I love the movie.”
“I started searching for this guitar back in 2009 on my first day on the job at Norman’s Rare Guitars,” says Mark Agnesi, Director of Brand Experience at Gibson. “After 16 years of searching, I’m so excited to get the entire guitar community together to help find the guitar that made me, and so many other guitarists of my generation, want to learn to play.”
“This is the movie that made me want to be a filmmaker, and the scene that made me pick up a guitar for the first time,” says Doc Crotzer, Director of the upcoming documentary film ‘Lost To The Future.’ “As children of the ’80s, it is our duty to take fans of music, fans of the movie, and fans of true crime documentaries with us on this too-crazy-to-believe quest to find our generation’s Excalibur.”
In tandem with the worldwide hunt for the missing Gibson ES-345 and to further celebrate the 40th anniversary of ‘Back To The Future’ this year, Gibson Films has now started production on a new documentary film titled ‘Lost To The Future’.
The forthcoming documentary ‘Lost To The Future’ from Gibson Films will feature in-depth interviews with ‘Back To The Future’ cast members Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, and Harry Waters Jr., musician Huey Lewis (“The Power of Love”), and the film’s co-creator/screenwriter/producer Bob Gale, as well as the world-renowned music superstars that have been inspired by the film over the decades. In the quest to find the elusive original Gibson ES-345 guitar, documentary Director Doc Crotzer (Roadhouse, Glee), alongside Mark Agnesi (Director of Brand Experience at Gibson), will guide viewers in the global hunt for this legendary instrument from long-forgotten film prop warehouses, fascinating vintage guitar shops, auction houses, and shadowy back alleys. The ‘Lost To The Future’ documentary will transport viewers back to 1985 to celebrate the music, culture, and defining moments of the era through a rich collection of archival photos, stories, film clips, and iconic songs.
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