Michael J. Fox searches for missing Back To The Future guitar, as he and Gibson have announced a worldwide effort to locate the iconic Cherry Red ES-345 used in the movie’s famous school dance scene. This ambitious campaign seeks the help of fans around the globe to uncover the fate of the historic instrument, four decades after Back To The Future’s release.
Historical Significance of the Missing Instrument
The cult classic Back To The Future dominated the box office in 1985 across the United States and became a global phenomenon. Central to the film’s enduring legacy is the memorable “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance, where Fox, as Marty McFly, plays the now-legendary Cherry Red ES-345 guitar during his performance of “Johnny B. Goode.” Although the choice of the ES-345 was historically inaccurate for the 1950s setting, the moment has captured imaginations and inspired countless viewers.
When production began on the sequel in 1989, the filmmaking team attempted to locate the original Cherry Red ES-345, but discovered it was missing. Decades later, this search is being revived, leveraging modern outreach and inviting anyone with information to contact Gibson through a specially established web portal or by calling or texting 1-855-345-1955.
Star-Studded Appeal Ignites the Search
Michael J. Fox and key members of the original cast, including Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, Harry Waters Jr., and Huey Lewis, have united in a new video urging fans to join the search. Their renewed attention has brought fresh energy to the quest for the lost guitar, building on decades of fascination with the film and its music.
Fox reflected on his own connection to the role and the pivotal performance:
“Guitar has always been a big part of my life,”
—Michael J. Fox, Actor
He shared further insight into his collaboration with the creative team on the famous scene, saying:
“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 favourite 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.”
—Michael J. Fox, Actor
Reflecting on the cultural impact of the moment, Fox added:
“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 realise 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.”
—Michael J. Fox, Actor
New Documentary and Community Involvement
As Back To The Future marks its 40th anniversary, Gibson Films has commenced production on a documentary, “Lost To The Future,” which will chronicle the legendary hunt. The film is set to include interviews with cast members such as Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson, along with co-creator Bob Gale, and notable musicians influenced by the movie. Through this project, Gibson aims to connect with the film’s multi-generational fanbase and encourage public participation in the search.
Cesar Gueikian, President and CEO of Gibson, shares his enthusiasm for the campaign:
“This is one of the most exciting moments at Gibson for me. Back To The Future is one of the most important and significant movies of my life, and the ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ school dance scene marked me musically in a profound way. Working with Michael J. Fox, Bob Gale and the rest of the Back To The Future team is a dream come true. I hope we find Marty’s Gibson ES-345! To everyone out there who is as passionate as I am about this iconic film, please help us find it!”
—Cesar Gueikian, President and CEO of Gibson
What Comes Next for the Search
This renewed search for the missing Back To The Future guitar has reignited widespread excitement among fans of Michael J. Fox, musicians, and film lovers alike. As Gibson and the Back To The Future cast broaden their appeal, the quest serves both as a celebration of musical and cinematic history and as a collaborative effort to locate a lost piece of pop culture. Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out through the “Lost To The Future” initiative, helping to continue the legacy of Marty McFly, the legendary ES-345, and all those inspired by the timeless story.
