Photo courtesy of Gibson
A legendary guitar vanished after the most iconic scene in Back to the Future. Now, 40 years later, you’re invited to help solve the mystery. Join Michael J. Fox and Gibson in their hunt for the Gibson ES-345 that inspired countless viewers (including John Mayer and Chris Martin) to become guitarists. Help solve the mystery of Marty McFly’s missing guitar – and become part of music history.
I’m Mindy Peterson, host of Enhance Life with Music podcast, where we explore the ways music can make our lives better. And this is Microhance, a micro-dose of musical enhancement.
I love books and reading, and as a kid, I devoured Nancy Drew books and my brother’s Hardy Boys collection. Today, I have a real-life musical mystery for you. And you just might be the one to solve it. The present day mystery takes us Back to the Future. In 1985, Michael J. Fox’s character, Marty McFly, takes the stage at Hill Valley High, and rips into “Johnny B. Goode” with a Cherry Red Gibson guitar. That iconic scene in Back to the Future didn’t just entertain—it ended up inspiring countless viewers, across generations, to become guitar players – including John Mayer and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Michael J. Fox said: “Guitar has always been a big part of my life;” and that the scene “was an expression of my love for guitar and all the great players.”
But here’s the mystery: that Gibson ES-345 guitar that Fox played in the scene? It vanished. Disappeared without a trace. When filmmakers searched for it for the 1989 sequel — it was gone. Now, 40 years later, Michael J. Fox and Gibson have launched a global hunt to find what many are calling the most important guitar in film history. And they need your help.
Could this legendary guitar be tucked away in someone’s attic? Hanging unnoticed in a vintage shop? You could hold the missing clue. Channel your inner Nancy Drew or Frank and Joe Hardy and share any leads with LostToTheFuture.com or text/call 1-855-345-1955.
And there’s more: Gibson Films is creating a brand-new documentary – Lost to the Future – in tandem with this worldwide hunt and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future. Which means you’re not just solving a decades-long mystery… you might end up part of music (and film) history.
So keep your eyes and ears open. (And give yourself the excuse to use that great Nancy Drew word, “sleuth”!) Because the guitar that changed the future once might do it again… and take you along on its next adventure.
Check out the show notes for links, to sign up for email updates on the search, and to watch a short video about the search featuring Michael J. Fox and his fellow Back to the Future stars:
If you were influenced by this musical scene in Back to the Future, I would love to hear about it.
You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn.
I’m Mindy Peterson, and I hope this inspires you to enhance your life with music.
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