Latest news with #GibsonES-345
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Back to the Future Cast Reunites to Find Lost Guitar
For four decades, a crucial piece of cinematic history has been missing. It's the iconic cherry red Gibson ES-345 that Marty McFly shredded during the legendary Enchantment Under the Sea dance scene in Back to the Future—an electrifying moment that sparked a generation of guitarists and cemented the instrument's place in pop culture. Now, as Back to the Future celebrates its 40th anniversary, the film's beloved cast has reunited for a real-life quest, partnering with guitar company Gibson to launch a global search for the missing guitar—an adventure so compelling, it's being chronicled in a new documentary, Lost to the Future. While Back to the Future has always played with time travel, one mystery has remained stubbornly stuck in the past: what happened to Marty McFly's iconic Gibson guitar? Now, with the spotlight on the franchise's 40th anniversary, the search has taken on new urgency, and familiar faces are stepping in to help. In a newly released video, stars Michael J. Fox (Marty McFly), Christopher Lloyd (Dr. Emmett 'Doc' Brown), Lea Thompson (Lorraine Baines), Harry Waters Jr. (Marvin Berry), and Huey Lewis (Battle of the Bands judge) lend their voices to the cause, rallying fans around the world to aid in the hunt. With the help of Gibson and its global community of musicians and collectors, the initiative aims to do what even a DeLorean couldn't: locate a long-lost relic of cinematic and musical history. '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, Gibson's Director of Brand Experience, has been on this trail for years, long before it became a public campaign. '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,' he said. Tips and potential sightings of the missing Gibson can be submitted via or by texting 1-855-345-1955. Adding a cinematic layer to the growing campaign, Gibson Films is set to release Lost to the Future—a documentary that digs into the emotional, cultural, and historical impact of a missing movie prop that has become a legend of its own. Directed by Doc Crotzer and narrated by Gibson's Mark Agnesi, the film offers an insider's look into the enduring connection between music and film through the voices of Back to the Future cast members Fox, Thompson, Lloyd, Waters Jr., and Lewis, along with franchise co-creator Gale. Rather than rehashing the well-known on-screen moment, the documentary shifts focus to behind-the-scenes stories, rare archival footage, and the underappreciated craftsmanship of vintage guitars. It follows the trail through dusty film prop warehouses, high-end guitar shops, and exclusive auction houses—all in pursuit of clues. For Crotzer, the project holds personal weight: '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,' he shared. More than a treasure hunt, Lost to the Future captures a shared longing for answers, for nostalgia, and for the chance to reconnect with a piece of history that helped shape generations of fans and musicians alike. For the uninitiated, Back to the Future is a classic sci-fi adventure film released in 1985 that follows the story of teenager Marty McFly, played by Fox. After being accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by eccentric scientist Doc Brown (Lloyd), Marty must navigate 1955 without altering the course of history, especially when he unintentionally interferes with his parents' first meeting. With time running out, he must ensure they fall in love and find a way back to the future, all while avoiding timeline disasters. The film blends comedy, action, and heart, and has become a beloved cultural icon, spawning two sequels and generations of fans. Sources: CNN, Gibson Gazette Read the original article on GEEKSPIN. Affiliate links on GEEKSPIN may earn us and our partners a commission.
CNN
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘Back to the Future' stars reunite in plea for return of long-lost prop
The original cast of 'Back to the Future' has reunited – not for a reboot, but to help locate a piece of movie history that went missing about 40 years ago. A hunt is underway for the cherry red Gibson ES-345 guitar, which was played by Michael J. Fox in the 1985 movie as part of the pivotal 'Enchantment Under the Sea' school dance scene. Filmmakers tried to locate the instrument during production of the 1989 sequel, but they were unsuccessful. In a video released by guitar company Gibson on Tuesday, Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Harry Waters Jr., made a plea to fans and collectors to help them track down the instrument. 'It's somewhere lost in the space-time continuum,' said Fox. 'We need that guitar.' Lloyd, channeling his character Doc Brown, added: 'The guitar has been lost to the future.' 'Back to the Future' won an Academy Award and launched a hugely successful franchise. The movie follows Fox as Marty McFly, a teenager who accidentally travels 30 years into the past to when his parents were in high school. With the help of eccentric inventor Doc Brown, he is forced to repair the timeline – and ensure his own future – before returning home. The guitar search is part of a broader project marking the movie's 40th anniversary. Gibson has launched a tip line and is producing a documentary, 'Lost to the Future,' exploring both the hunt for the guitar and the legacy of the film itself. 'Guitar has always been a big part of my life,' Fox said in a Gibson press release. 'I just love the guitar, and I love the movie,' he added. 'Since we don't have a functioning time machine, this effort is probably our best chance to solve a decades-long mystery,' added Bob Gale, the movie's co-creator, in the release.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lost since 1985, Gibson kicks off hunt for missing 'Back to the Future' guitar
Marty McFly's rendition of 'Johnny B. Goode' at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance in "Back to the Future" is one of the most memorable scenes from the 1980s. But despite how unforgettable the image of Michael J. Fox rocking out on a Gibson ES-345 is, the whereabouts of the actual guitar are a mystery. And the cast from the film is asking for your help finding it. Advertisement In a video posted by Gibson Tuesday, Fox, Lea Thompson (Lorraine), Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown) and other members of the team behind the 1985 film are enlisting the public to track down the prop guitar, which they say has not been seen since 1985. 'It's somewhere lost in the space-time continuum,' says Fox. 'Or it's in some Teamster's garage.' The guitar originally hailed from Norman's Rare Guitars, a shop in Los Angeles known for its vast selection of vintage guitars. Norman Harris, the shop's owner, told Reverb in 2015 he received a call from the Warner Bros. Prop department in 1984 asking for a guitar that looked futuristic. Advertisement After originally renting the film a Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster, the art director came back to Harris asking for another option in red with a whammy. Though it wouldn't be era-correct for 1955, Harris eventually presented them with the ES-345 (which would not be available until 1958). When production was ramping up for the sequel, Harris told Reverb he received a call from the studio asking to use the same guitar once again. The problem was he didn't remember what happened to it. Gibson is producing a documentary about the search for the guitar as the film turns 40, titled 'Lost to the Future.' 'We've been looking into leads and rumors for a long time, and as you can imagine, we're talking 40 years ago, so memories fade,' Lost to the Future director Doc Crotzer told The Hollywood Reporter. 'We weren't in the era of digital trails, or of receipts and things like that. There are conflicting reports too. You can find about as many different rumors as you can people.' Advertisement Harris apparently has told a few different stories over the years explaining the possible whereabouts of the guitar, including one which claims he sold it to a friend, who sold it to a woman who eventually returned to the store and asked for $1 million to sell it back. It may seem like an unthinkable travesty for such an iconic piece of movie history to be lost, but it was only recently that studios recognized the value of their props from major films. Today, studios keep detailed inventory tracking systems and work with auction houses such as Propstore and Julien's to sell items shortly after the release of the film to recoup costs. The filmmakers are encouraging anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of the guitar to visit the website and contact them with tips. Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Marty McFly's legendary guitar: The great 'Back to the Future' prop hunt, 40 years later
The hunt for Marty McFly's iconic guitar is on. Gibson and the Back to the Future cast are searching for the missing instrument. The guitar disappeared after filming the first movie. A new documentary, Lost to the Future, chronicles the search. Stars like Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd are involved. They are urging fans to help find the guitar. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads It's been four decades since Marty McFly rocked out at the 'Enchantment Under the Sea' dance in Back to the Future, but the fate of his iconic cherry red Gibson ES-345 guitar remains as mysterious as a DeLorean's flux capacitor. Now, with the film's 40th anniversary upon us, the hunt for Marty's missing axe is back in the spotlight—and this time, it's getting a little help from Hollywood and music royalty. Gibson , the legendary guitar maker headquartered in Nashville, has officially launched a public appeal to track down the famous instrument. The quest coincides with a new documentary, Lost to the Future , which chronicles both the search and the enduring magic of the film. In a nostalgia-packed video released by Gibson, Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox (Marty), Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown), Lea Thompson, and Harry Waters Jr. all join the call. Even Huey Lewis—whose band gave us the unforgettable 'The Power of Love'—makes a cameo, urging fans to help solve the decades-old Lloyd, channeling Doc Brown, declares the guitar 'lost to the future,' while Michael J. Fox jokes, 'It's somewhere lost in the space-time continuum, or it's in some Teamster's garage.' The guitar, last seen on set in the late 1980s, vanished before the sequel was filmed, and despite years of searching, its whereabouts remain original film's unforgettable scene saw Marty channeling guitar heroes like Hendrix and Van Halen, dazzling—and confusing—his 1955 audience with a performance of his 'oldie song Johnny B. Goode' years before it was actually released. Fox himself once said he wanted to blend the styles of his favorite guitarists for the sequence, making the guitar's disappearance all the more bittersweet for the world watching and the power of nostalgia on their side, Gibson and the Back to the Future cast hope that Marty's guitar will finally make its way home—no time machine required. If you've got a cherry red ES-345 with a story to tell, now's your chance to be part of movie history!
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Back to the Future' cast seeks help in search for red guitar
'Back to the Future' cast seeks help in search for red guitar "Back to the Future" co-creator Bob Gale described the red electric guitar as an important piece of cinema history and memorabilia. Show Caption Hide Caption Original E.T. model from 1982 sci-fi classic film up for auction An original E.T. model from the 1982 film is up for auction along with other items from classic horror, science fiction, and fantasy films. Marty McFly's iconic red guitar from the original "Back to the Future" is missing, and the movie's cast and filmmakers are asking for the public's help to bring it back to the present. Musical instrument chain Gibson uploaded a video on Tuesday, June 2, revealing the cherry red Gibson ES-345 guitar hasn't been seen since 1985, when the film premiered. The video featured several stars from the movie, including Michael J. Fox (Marty McFly), Lea Thompson (Lorraine Baines McFly), Christopher Lloyd (Dr. Emmett Brown) and Harry Waters Jr. (Marvin Berry). "It's somewhere lost in the space time continuum, or it's in some teamster's garage," Fox said in the video. "If you know where it is, if you know who has it, call us, text us. We need that guitar. I need it." "Back to the Future" co-creator Bob Gale said the electric guitar is an important piece of cinema history and memorabilia. It's unclear who last had the instrument, with Lloyd saying "somehow it's vanished," but added the team will be forever grateful for its return. Where was the Gibson guitar last seen? The team behind the sci-fi adventure film rented the Gibson guitar from Los Angeles business Norman's Rare Guitars and returned it to them following production, according to The Hollywood Reporter. However, "Lost to the Future" director Doc Crotzer and Gibson's Brand Experience Director, Mark Agnesi, clarified they have no clue where it is now. "We've been looking into leads and rumors for a long time, and as you can imagine, we're talking 40 years ago, so memories fade," Crotzer told the outlet. "We weren't in the era of digital trails, or of receipts and things like that. There are conflicting reports too. You can find about as many different rumors as you can people." Crotzer and Agnesi said there have been many stories about where the guitar went, including the likely scenario that it was sold at the LA store. Yet, they are hoping the global search could lead to more concrete answers. "I knew that guitar came from Norm's, the first day on the job, I was looking in cases," Agnesi told The Hollywood Reporter. "Every time I'd go to storage to Norm's warehouse, I was checking ES-cases to see if he still had it. I've been looking since 2009, 15 years of looking for this thing. It's cool we're going to let the world know we're looking for it and everyone gets to join in." Anyone with information on the instrument's whereabouts is encouraged to submit a tip to the new Lost To The Future website or contact (855) 345-1955 through a text message or a phone call.
