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Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bringing McFly's Gibson back from the past, er, future
The cherry-red Gibson ES-345 Michael J. Fox plays as Marty McFly in the 1985 film Back to the Future is, to use an overused word, iconic. It's also been missing for decades. And now, in honour of the movie's 40th anniversary, Gibson wants to find it. The guitar brand has launched a worldwide missing-guitar campaign complete with a tip submission website and 1-800 line to assist with the search, which will be featured in a forthcoming documentary called Lost to the Future. Jason Goodrich photo Huey Lewis (left) and Michael J. Fox took part in a teaser video asking for the public's help in finding the guitar. Jason Goodrich photo Huey Lewis (left) and Michael J. Fox took part in a teaser video asking for the public's help in finding the guitar. Gibson also released a buzzy teaser video last week featuring Back to the Future stars Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd and Huey Lewis — who had a cameo in the film — asking the public for their help. 'We're trying to find the guitar I played in Back to the Future,' Fox says in the video. 'It's somewhere lost in the space-time continuum, or it's in some Teamster's garage.' 'This is a global search that we're inviting fans to embark on with us. We're taking this to the back alleys of London and the pawn shops of Brazil, the prop houses of L.A. to the streets of Winnipeg,' Gibson's media director Todd Harapiak tells the Free Press. Harapiak, as it happens, is from Winnipeg. 'Who knows where this guitar is?' It's a guitar that's long captured the imagination of filmmaker Doc Crotzer, who is directing Lost to the Future. He even has photographic evidence of himself as a little kid recreating that famous scene of Marty McFly performing Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance, sliding across the floor. '(The idea) traces back to when we each first saw the movie, honestly, and it inspired each of us, like so many other kids of our generation, to pick up guitars, to get into rock 'n' roll,' says Crotzer, whose 1983 birth year puts him squarely in that demographic. 'The through line of the documentary, of course, is the search for this instrument. But the heart of the documentary is what the movie and that scene and that guitar means for an entire generation of people who were inspired by it in so many different ways.' Mark Agnesi, Gibson's director of brand experience, has been looking for that guitar for 16 years, fascinated by the lore and mystery surrounding it. Steve Rose photo From left: Mark Agnesi, Gibson's director of brand experience, Gibson's media director Todd Harapiak, and filmmaker Doc Crotzer Steve Rose photo From left: Mark Agnesi, Gibson's director of brand experience, Gibson's media director Todd Harapiak, and filmmaker Doc Crotzer How the story goes: Back to the Future director Robert Zemeckis realized the guitar was missing when it was needed for 1989's Back to the Future: Part II and it's been lost ever since. 'My story with it starts in 2009 when I became the general manager of Norman's Rare Guitars in Los Angeles,' Agnesi says. 'Norm rented them the guitar for the movie. 'And obviously that guitar is the reason why I play guitar. That scene is the whole reason that has sent me on this journey.' Universal Pictures Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly: playing the Gibson 'like a-ringin' a bell.' Universal Pictures Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly: playing the Gibson 'like a-ringin' a bell.' Agnesi figures Marty McFly's guitar would be a late 1960 or 1961 model. They do not have the serial number for it, which makes things a bit more challenging, because there are hundreds of red 345s from that era floating around. But this one has a distinguishing feature. 'Gibson ES-345s have what we call split parallelogram inlays — two parallelograms with a little piece of wood in between there. All of them have this,' Agnesi explains. All of them except the cherry-red Gibson ES-345 in question. 'If you look at the 12th fret, you will notice there is a solid parallelogram that's not supposed to be there,' Agnesi says. 'That's the smoking gun.' Since the tip site went up last week, Gibson has seen about 100 people per hour either signing up to stay updated or submitting tips, which the team will now have to sort through and vet. They fully expect to be sent on some wild goose chases, but that's part of the fun, too. Any tip is a good tip, Agnesi says. 'Did you see it in the '90s? Did you see it at a store? Did you see it at an auction? Did you see it on the wall somewhere? Do you know somebody who has it? Like any kind of tip that we can get to piece together what happened from 1985 and the chain of command all the way to where it is now.' The hopeful outcome is that they find it and are able to display it somewhere so that other fans can enjoy it. They also hope to reunite it with Fox. Steve Rose photo Back to the Future star Christopher Lloyd takes part in the documentary Lost to the Future. Steve Rose photo Back to the Future star Christopher Lloyd takes part in the documentary Lost to the Future. 'We don't expect whoever has it to just hand it over to us,' Crotzer says. 'But there's something poetic, whether it's for an hour or forever, about reuniting the guitar with Michael J. Fox, especially in the documentary when you hear how he talks about that guitar and how special it was to him.' When all three men talk about meeting Fox, they are instantly transformed into '80s kids again. 'Yeah, the whole 'don't meet your heroes' saying? Does not apply,' Crotzer says. 'One of the things that I really hope that we can accomplish with this, too, is I want Michael J. Fox to get his due as a guitar hero,' Agnesi says. 'He's a lot of people's guitar hero, and because he wasn't in a band, he's always overlooked. But Michael J. Fox needs to get his proper due as the guitar hero that he is.' And if they don't find the guitar? 'Oh, we're going to find it,' Agnesi says. 'I don't know where, but we're going to find it.' Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Jen ZorattiColumnist Jen Zoratti is a columnist and feature writer working in the Arts & Life department, as well as the author of the weekly newsletter NEXT. A National Newspaper Award finalist for arts and entertainment writing, Jen is a graduate of the Creative Communications program at RRC Polytech and was a music writer before joining the Free Press in 2013. Read more about Jen. Every piece of reporting Jen produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print – part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian actor Michael J. Fox leads ‘Back to the Future' cast in search for lost Gibson guitar from film
If only Michael J. Fox could go back in time to 1985 and get his hands on the iconic guitar he used in the 'Back to the Future' movie. He's not really a time traveller, but he's hoping to luck out in tracking down the classic Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 guitar from the film that launched two sequels. It's been missing for 40 years, and some of the cast and crew has reunited for a hunt to find it. The guitar was used in a memorable scene from the film. Fox's character Marty McFly, who has travelled back in time to 1955, is asked to step in for an injured band member at the 1955 school prom. McFly picks up the guitar and starts playing. First, he strums to 'Earth Angel' by The Penguins, and then goes into a solo riff from Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B. Goode,' calling it an oldie where he comes from, even though the 1958 song doesn't exist yet. Gibson Guitars has teamed up with filmmaker Doc Crotzer to launch the search for the missing guitar, which is part of a broader project marking the movie's 40th anniversary. And the search is being turned into a documentary, with comments from Fox, who is a guitar collector. 'No one's seen that guitar since 1985,' actor Harry Waters Jr., who played Starlighters band guitarist Marvin Berry, said in a new 'Lost to the Future' promo. 'It's somewhere lost in the space-time continuum, or it's in some teamster's garage,' Fox said. There is even a website, with an 800-number for tips. When it comes to guitars in movies, no guitar was more iconic or more influential than the Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 used by Marty McFly to play 'Johnny B Goode' in the movie Back to the Future. That scene has been cited by countless artists as the moment they knew they wanted to play guitar. One problem: the guitar has been missing since 1985, and no one knows its whereabouts. A countdown clock on the website is ticking down to four-and-a-half months from now, but there's no information about what happens at the end, or what the reward may be if the guitar is found. Anyone with information about the guitar can leave a message at 1-855-345-1955 or send a message via . The now iconic guitar is said to have inspired a generation of musicians — from celebrities like Chris Martin of Coldplay to garage band guitarists. But the guitar was nothing but a prop at the time, rented from Norman's Rare Guitars in California, a story in said . Strangely enough, even though the film is set in 1955, the filmmakers weren't exactly true to the time frame, and took some liberties in using that guitar. That Gibson ES-345 model was not in production until 1958, and didn't appear in that cherry red colour until 1959, said. Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B. Goode' song did was released in 1958, so that aligns with the movie's narrative — but he doesn't have a cousin named Marvin. Staff from Norm's guitar store believe the guitar was sold sometime after the movie, then returned to be resold again — but there's no firm paperwork on where it ended up. They believe it may be in Japan, as guitar aficionado tourists were visiting the area during a vintage guitar boom, Billboard said. A Canadian, Fox will appear in Toronto later this summer for FanExpo Aug. 22 and 23, to sign autographs for $300 each, or $349 for a signed comic book, licence plate, movie poster and other memorabilia. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
5 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.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Huey Lewis says he ‘can't hear music' after severe hearing loss
Huey Lewis has revealed that he can no longer hear music due to severe hearing loss. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, 74, was diagnosed with Ménière's disease in 2018. The inner ear disorder can cause severe dizziness, tinnitus and hearing loss. Speaking to People, Lewis said he had surgery to help deal with the condition. "I'm no spring chicken, so something's going to happen at some point and this is my cross to bear,' said Lewis. 'I have a cochlear implant in my head that now enables me to hear speech much better. I lost bilaterally, my hearing ... the intense vertigo — knock on wood — I have kind of outgrown. I'm mildly dizzy all the time, and my hearing just went to zero. 'And now I have a cochlear implant, so I'm much better that way, but I can't hear music.' Lewis lamented the loss of music in his life, saying: 'The worst part is that means it's bad enough not to be able to perform and sing and play, but it's really bad not to even be able to enjoy music.' He described performing and recording as 'the best feeling in the world' but added: 'I'm never going to get there. I mean, I might get to where I can try to, and I'm not going to give up. I'm going to try. But geez, that kind of fun, that kind of great ride. I doubt I'm ever going to see that ... feel that again.' Earlier this week, Lewis took part in an appeal by the cast of Back to the Future to track down the iconic Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 guitar used in the film. Lewis and his band Huey Lewis and the News performed the soundtrack's headline song 'The Power of Love'. As the movie commemorates its 40th anniversary, Gibson is producing a documentary, Lost to the Future, chronicling the search for the elusive guitar and the film's legacy. In the film, Michael J Fox's Marty McFly steps in for an injured band member at the 1955 school dance with the theme 'Enchantment under the Sea', playing the guitar as students slow dance to 'Earth Angel'. He then leads Marvin Berry and the Starlighters in a rendition of 'Johnny B. Goode', calling it an oldie where he comes was from even though the 1958 song doesn't exist yet for his audience. Fox said he wanted McFly to riff through his favorite guitarists' signature styles – Jimi Hendrix behind the head, Pete Townshend's windmill and the Eddie Van Halen hammer. After digging and dancing to 'Johnny B. Goode', the students at the dance fall into an awkward silence as McFly's riffs turn increasingly wild. 'I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet,' McFly says. 'But your kids are gonna love it.'
Global News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Global News
Search for lost ‘Back to the Future' guitar back on, 40 years after film debut
Marty McFly grabbed a guitar in Back to the Future and rocked out with the band at a 1950s high school dance, helping him narrowly avoid blinking out of existence before time-travelling back to the 1980s. The guitar, in real life, wasn't as lucky. Filmmakers went looking for the instrument while making the movie's 1989 sequel, but even now it's nowhere to be found. Four decades after the blockbuster film debuted, the guitar's creator has launched a search for the iconic Cherry Red Gibson ES-345. View image in full screen Michael J Fox leaping in air with guitar in a scene from the film 'Back To The Future', 1985. Universal / Getty Images Gibson, which is based in Nashville, is asking the public for help tracking it down as the movie turns 40 and as the company produces a new documentary about the search and the film, Lost to the Future. Story continues below advertisement In a video by Gibson, with the movie's theme song playing in the background, Back to the Future stars such as Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Harry Waters Jr. make a cinematic plea. There's also a surprise appearance by Huey Lewis, whose band Huey Lewis and the News performed the soundtrack's headliner song, The Power of Love. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Lloyd, in the cadence of Doc Brown, says in the video that the guitar has been 'lost to the future.' 'It's somewhere lost in the space-time continuum,' says Fox, who played McFly. 'Or it's in some Teamster's garage.' 1:21 Michael J. Fox plays 'Johnny B Goode' with Coldplay during show in New York City In the film, McFly steps in for an injured band member at the 1955 school dance with the theme 'Enchantment under the Sea' playing the guitar as students slow dance to Earth Angel. He then leads Marvin Barry and the Starlighters in a rendition of Johnny B. Goode, calling it an oldie where he comes from, even though the 1958 song doesn't exist yet for his audience. Story continues below advertisement Fox said he wanted McFly to riff through his favourite guitarists' signature styles — Jimi Hendrix behind the head, Pete Townshend's windmill and the Eddie Van Halen hammer. After digging and dancing to Johnny B. Goode, the students at the dance fall into an awkward silence as McFly's riffs turn increasingly wild. 'I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet,' McFly says. 'But your kids are gonna love it.'
