News Page

Main Content

Where's Marty McFly's guitar? Search is on for 'Back to the Future' prop

ABC News's profile
Original Story by ABC News
June 4, 2025
Where's Marty McFly's guitar? Search is on for 'Back to the Future' prop

Context:

The search is on for the Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 guitar used by Marty McFly in the iconic 1985 film 'Back to the Future,' which has been missing since the filmmakers attempted to locate it for the 1989 sequel. As the original movie celebrates its 40th anniversary, Gibson, based in Nashville, has enlisted the help of the public and released a documentary titled 'Lost to the Future' to aid in the search. The documentary features appearances by the film's stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and others, who humorously speculate on the guitar's whereabouts. In the film, McFly famously performs at a 1955 high school dance, blending styles of renowned guitarists, which becomes a memorable cinematic moment. Despite the guitar's absence, the legacy of the film and its music remains influential, with the hope that the instrument will eventually be found.

Dive Deeper:

  • The Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 guitar, played by Marty McFly in 'Back to the Future,' has been missing since the production of the film's sequel in 1989. Gibson has launched a public search to locate the iconic instrument as part of the film's 40th anniversary celebrations.

  • Gibson, headquartered in Nashville, is producing a documentary called 'Lost to the Future' to assist in the search for the guitar, featuring appearances from original film cast members, including Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.

  • In the original film, Marty McFly performs at a 1955 high school dance, stepping in for an injured band member and playing 'Earth Angel' and 'Johnny B. Goode,' despite the latter not existing in that timeline.

  • Michael J. Fox's portrayal of McFly includes guitar riffs inspired by famous guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, and Eddie Van Halen, which adds to the scene's lasting impact.

  • The documentary includes a humorous plea from the cast, with speculation that the guitar could be lost in the space-time continuum, or humorously, in a Teamster's garage.

  • The original film's soundtrack, notably featuring Huey Lewis and the News, remains a beloved part of its legacy, further emphasizing the cultural significance of the film and its music.

  • The public and fans of the film are encouraged to assist in the search for the guitar, as its rediscovery would be a significant piece of cinematic history.

Latest Entertainment

Related Stories