Entertainment
Gibson and Michael J. Fox launch search for lost guitar from ‘Back To The Future’
The search is on for the Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 used in the movie…
Today, Gibson, the instrument brand, has launched a global search for the 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 via www.LostToTheFuture.com
Released on July 3, 1985, by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, 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, the movie 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.
“Years ago, I was astonished to learn this beloved cinematic artifact had apparently disappeared into the space-time continuum,” says Bob Gale, co-creator/screenwriter/producer of BTTF. “Since we don’t have a functioning time machine, this effort is probably our best chance to solve a decades-long mystery.”
The discovery of what happened to the film’s Gibson ES-345 would add a 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.”
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 documentary will feature in-depth interviews with 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 music superstars that have been inspired by the film over the decades.
