Lost to the Future: The Search for Michael J. Fox's Iconic Gibson ES-345 Cherry Red Guitar
The search is on for the iconic missing Gibson ES-345 Cherry Red guitar that Michael J. Fox played in the 1985 film Back to the Future. Gibson Guitars, Universal Home Entertainment, and filmmaker Doc Crotzer have launched Lost to the Future to find this beloved movie prop. The guitar, rented from Norm's Rare Guitars in Tarzana, Calif., has been missing for decades, sparking a "true crime search" led by Crotzer, who plans to create a documentary about the quest.
Mark Agnesi, Gibson's director of brand experience, and filmmaker Crotzer are determined to locate the guitar, inspired by the memorable scene where Marty McFly performs "Earth Angel" and "Johnny B. Goode" at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. The guitar's whereabouts remain a mystery, with leads pointing to it being sold, possibly to Japan during a vintage guitar boom in the mid-'80s. The unique inlay on the 12th fret will be the key to authenticating the guitar, as it differs from standard ES-345 models of the time.
Despite historical inaccuracies in the film, such as the guitar not being in production in 1955, the impact of the scene and the guitar's role in it are undeniable. The search for the missing guitar has garnered support from musicians like John Mayer and Jason Isbell, who recognize its significance in pop culture. The quest for the guitar is not just about finding a missing prop but also capturing the emotional connection it has with fans who were inspired by the film.
The Lost to the Future project aims to uncover the whereabouts of the iconic Back to the Future guitar and shed light on its legacy in the film industry. The search for this missing piece of movie history has sparked interest and support from fans, musicians, and filmmakers alike. The quest for the guitar goes beyond a mere prop hunt; it's about preserving the cultural impact and inspiration that Back to the Future has had on generations of fans.