Stay tuned for updates and keep your eyes peeled. The iconic 1985 film Back to the Future is filled with unforgettable scenes, yet one of the most iconic moments that remains elusive is when Marty McFly electrifies the audience with “Johnny B. Goode” at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance, long before the song’s official release. The reason this moment can’t be fully recreated lies in the absence of the Gibson ES-345 guitar used during that scene, which has mysteriously gone missing. While we may not be embarking on a time-traveling adventure to retrieve the guitar, there is an ongoing search involving both the renowned guitar manufacturer and actor Michael J. Fox.
This week, Gibson launched an engaging video urging fans of Back to the Future to remain vigilant for any signs of the elusive guitar, which has seemingly been “erased from existence.” The video features notable personalities including Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, Harry Waters Jr. (who played Marvin Berry), and writer/producer Bob Gale, alongside Huey Lewis. All of them are eager to locate the legendary ES-345 guitar. If you possess any information regarding its whereabouts, the video directs you to https://losttothefuture.com/ and provides a contact number to reach out. This initiative is part of a larger project titled Lost to the Future, aimed at “guiding viewers in the worldwide search for this iconic instrument, spanning from forgotten film prop warehouses to intriguing vintage guitar shops, auction houses, and mysterious back alleys.”
So, what exactly transpired with the Back to the Future Gibson guitar? To begin with, it has not made an appearance in over four decades, suggesting it likely went missing during the filming process. It’s possible that someone from the film crew may have taken it home as a keepsake or intended to sell it later. Lea Thompson, who admitted to taking a few items from the prom scene but never the guitar itself, reflected, “I have no idea how [the guitar] slipped through people’s hands. I mean, the first thing I thought was maybe one of the prop masters had it…but then I knew it was super expensive…so it had to go somewhere.” Regardless of how it disappeared, this item is a significant piece of film history that rightly deserves a place in a museum.
As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future this year, we can expect a plethora of reunions, tributes, and special events. However, it would be truly remarkable to have the Gibson guitar returned to the hands of Michael J. Fox, a passionate music lover who has often been seen performing alongside renowned bands.
