The pop culture moment that defined the 1980s and kickstarted guitar players everywhere is explored in a new Gibson Films documentary from director Doc Crotzer
Gibson is on a worldwide mission to find the legendary Cherry Red ES-345™ guitar famously played by Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future, marking the kickoff of the film’s 40th-anniversary celebrations. Featured in the unforgettable “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance scene, the guitar helped bring the movie rendition of Chuck Berry’s song “Johnny B. Goode” to life—and sparked a generation of new guitarists.
But when filmmakers began work on the sequel, the original ES-345 had vanished—and hasn’t been seen since.
This global search invites music and film fans to help locate the missing Gibson ES-345, with tips accepted via LostToTheFuture.com or by calling or texting 1-855-345-1955. A call-to-action video featuring Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, Harry Waters Jr., and Huey Lewis has been released to rally support.
“Years ago, I was astonished to learn this beloved cinematic artifact had apparently disappeared into the space-time continuum,” said Bob Gale, co-creator of Back to the Future. “Since we don’t have a functioning time machine, this effort is probably our best chance to solve a decades-long mystery.”
Mark Agnesi, Director of Brand Experience at Gibson, who began searching for the guitar in 2009, says of the global effort: “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.”
The Lost to the Future documentary, directed by Doc Crotzer and narrated by Mark Agnesi, will be released by Gibson Films and feature interviews with the film’s cast, including Fox, Thompson, Lloyd, Waters Jr., and Huey Lewis, as well as co-creator Bob Gale. It will explore the guitar’s significance through archival footage, music history, and visits to vintage guitar shops, auction houses, and film prop warehouses. “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,” Crotzer shared.
Image: Back to the Future—Michael J. Fox-Film Stills, Credit: Universal-Getty
Back to the Future, directed by Robert Zemeckis and executive produced by Steven Spielberg, was the highest-grossing film of 1985 and remains a cultural touchstone. Its innovative storytelling, memorable characters, and iconic scenes—Marty McFly’s guitar performance, for one—continue to inspire generations.
Todd Harapiak, Gibson Media Director, described the appearance of the Gibson ES-345 in the movie as a moment that “struck a chord with an entire generation.” Now, Gibson is calling on fans and collectors to help track it down.
If you have any information about the missing guitar, contact Gibson by phone or text at 1-855-345-1955 or visit LostToTheFuture.com.
