NEED TO KNOW
Fire up your flux capacitors, because we may need a time machine for this one.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the release of Back to the Future, the film’s primary cast members have joined forces with Gibson Guitars on a quest to track down one of the most iconic pieces of memorabilia from the film: Michael J. Fox’s (Marty McFly’s) red ES-345 that he played “Johnny B. Goode” on at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance.
“I was born in the ’60s when there was an explosion of very important music,” Fox, 63, tells PEOPLE of the genesis of his love for music that ultimately manifested in the iconic film scene. “My brother listened to them all, and I was 7 years old listening to Blind Faith and Rare Earth. I always wanted to be a rock ‘n’ roll guitarist, that’s all I wanted to do. It’s always been a passion of mine, rock ‘n’ roll, and particularly the guitar, there’s just something about it, like you are wringing the magic and the music out of it.”
To accomplish this monumental feat and hopefully unearth a lost treasure of film history, the legendary instrument manufacturer has launched an international hunt for the guitar, accompanied by a call-to-action video released on Tuesday, June 3, featuring Fox, as well as fellow cast members Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, Harry Waters Jr., Huey Lewis and more.
Thompson, 64, tells PEOPLE that although she considers Fox’s famed BTTF instrument “an incredible guitar,” she really has little idea what could have happened to it once filming wrapped.
“When we made [the first] Back to the Future, we didn’t even think we were going to make a sequel,” Thompson tells PEOPLE. “There was no sequel deal, there was no concept of that. I mean, that’s how long ago it was. So people weren’t like Star Wars taking the props and everything. I only have the dress and the shoes and the jewelry from the prom.”
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Gibson
The actress continues, “I have no idea how [the guitar] slipped through people’s hands. I mean, the first thing I thought was maybe one of the prop masters had it … but then I knew it was super expensive … so it had to go somewhere.”
Lewis shares a similar sentiment to PEOPLE, noting that Back to the Future has become “The Wizard of Oz for a new generation” while pondering what could have happened to Fox’s instrument.
“Well, it’s pretty amazing, really. I mean, to think about what it might be worth, right?” says “The Power of Love” singer, 74. “So whoever’s got this thing, wherever it is. I mean, forget the actual guitar and the financial thing, there’s a great story there, obviously.”
Lewis continues by noting that there were “quite a few guitar techs” working on the production at the time. “Maybe somebody fell on hard times and had to sell it, or I don’t know. Who knows what that story is, but it’s fairly interesting and apparently, because of the frets, it will be identifiable.”
Gibson
To accompany the hunt for the guitar, Gibson Films has begun production on a new documentary film titled Lost to the Future. The forthcoming project will peel the curtain back even further on the hunt for the ES-345, featuring even more in-depth interviews with Fox, Thompson, Lloyd, Waters Jr., Lewis and the film’s co-creator/screenwriter/producer Bob Gale, as well as a select group of world-renowned musicians that have been inspired by the film over the decades.
The documentary’s director, Doc Crotzer (Roadhouse, Glee), as well as Mark Agnesi (Director of Brand Experience at Gibson), “will guide viewers in the global hunt for this legendary instrument, from long-forgotten film prop warehouses, fascinating vintage guitar shops, auction houses and shadowy back alleys,” according to an official press release from Gibson.
Those who may have any information related to the whereabouts of the guitar are encouraged to submit tips by visiting LostToTheFuture.com and calling the tip line at 1-888-345-1955. The site also allows those who are curious to sign up and stay updated about the hunt, and whether or not the instrument is ultimately found.
