Michael J. Fox Finally Addresses Back to the Future's Famous Guitar Blooper and Its Missing History

Marty McFly's iconic Gibson ES-345 in "Johnny B. Goode" shouldn't have existed in 1955, and now Michael J. Fox is weighing in on the legendary "temporal inconsistency" and where the famous prop went.

TL;DR

• Michael J. Fox’s new memoir, Future Boy, addresses the famous Back to the Future guitar anachronism.
• The Gibson ES-345 Marty plays in 1955 wasn't made until 1958, a fact Fox acknowledges as a "temporal inconsistency."
• The original prop guitar has been missing for 40 years, with Fox speculating someone "snagged it."
• Gibson has launched a global search and is producing a documentary, Lost to the Future, about the quest.

Unraveling the Timeline: Marty McFly's Guitar That Shouldn't Exist in 1955

If you're a hardcore fan of Back To The Future (and let's be honest, who isn't?), you probably know every detail, every line, and every awesome time-travel paradox. But even the most casual viewer might've noticed something a little… off about Marty McFly's guitar during his legendary "Johnny B. Goode" performance at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance in 1955.

Marty, played by the incredible Michael J. Fox, borrows Marvin Berry's cherry-red Gibson ES-345 and absolutely shreds. The problem? In the real world, that specific model of guitar didn't hit the market until 1958 – a full three years after the movie's pivotal scene is set. Guitar enthusiasts and eagle-eyed fans have been scratching their heads about this "temporal inconsistency" for decades, wondering why Marty didn't opt for a more historically accurate 1955 model like the Gibson ES-350T, famously played by Chuck Berry himself.

Michael J. Fox Weighs In On The Gibson ES-345 Anomaly

Good news, fellow time-travel aficionados! Michael J. Fox himself is finally addressing this long-standing guitar gaffe. In his brand-new memoir, Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum, Fox dives into the specifics. He openly calls it "a temporal inconsistency that guitar aficionados and Back to the Future fans have pointed out again and again."

So, was it a secret Easter egg? A subtle hint at another timeline hop? Nope! Fox reveals that it wasn't an intentional nod to future events. Turns out, the film's art department simply picked the ES-345 because it "evoked the iconic wine-red axe that Chuck Berry famously duckwalked across stages all over the world." It was all about the vibe, not the vintage accuracy. And honestly, who can argue with the vibe Marty created?

"Both the '55 and '58 versions of the Gibson electric are rare and beautiful instruments; for me, it makes little difference which I played. I've always loved the Gibson E line: big, imposing guitars yet hollow-bodied and therefore lightweight. Even a little guy like yours truly could sling 'em and fling 'em and still make 'em sing."

— Michael J. Fox, "Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum"

The Mystery Deepens: Where Did Marty's Legendary Guitar Disappear To?

Beyond the timeline paradox, there’s an even bigger mystery: the actual cherry-red Gibson ES-345 used in the film vanished after production wrapped in 1985. Despite being one of cinema’s most iconic instruments, it hasn't been seen in four decades! Michael J. Fox, like many fans, deeply regrets not snagging it for himself.

In his memoir, Fox muses, "I wish I could claim to possess it, but I didn't have the foresight to know how valuable it would become." He adds with a hint of humor, "Unfortunately, somebody did anticipate that and snagged it for themselves. Whether it's in their active collection or stashed in their attic or home studio, they're not speaking up. Perhaps they're waiting for the statute of limitations on vintage guitar theft to expire." Given that collectible guitars now fetch "exorbitant prices," Fox is right to assume its value would be "huge."

Gibson's Global Hunt for the Lost Time-Traveling Axe and a New Signature Model Tease

The guitar’s disappearance isn't just a lament for Fox; it's sparked a full-blown global search! To mark Back to the Future's 40th anniversary (yes, you read that right, 40 years since its 1985 release!), Gibson, the legendary guitar manufacturer, launched a worldwide effort to find the missing ES-345. They've even brought in the investigative team behind the "Lost Bass Project," who successfully tracked down Paul McCartney’s iconic Hofner violin bass after 50 years!

The search is being chronicled in a documentary titled Lost to the Future, directed by Doc Crotzer and produced with Gibson’s Mark Agnesi. The film features interviews with Fox and other cast members like Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, Harry Waters Jr., and even Huey Lewis, all hoping to shed light on the guitar's whereabouts. Fox, however, is a little cynical about the documentary's release, noting it's "linked to the existential discovery and retrieval" of the guitar.

While the original remains elusive, Gibson has a treat for fans. They're teasing a new production run version of the Marty McFly signature ES-345, set to be announced on October 21st, 2025. A social media teaser shows the cherry-red beauty shrouded in smoke, propped against a DeLorean – a clear nod to the film’s enduring legacy. So, even if the original stays lost, you might soon be able to own a piece of that "Johnny B. Goode" magic!

The Scene That Shaped a Generation: More Than Just a Song

For Michael J. Fox, that "Johnny B. Goode" scene wasn't just another moment in a movie; it was deeply personal. He describes it as his "favourite scene in the movie" and one he "worked harder" on than any other. He notes that "what was happening in my life at that moment was no less transformative than what was happening in Marty's."

And let's not forget the clever "bootstrap paradox" at play: Marty plays "Johnny B. Goode" in 1955, inspiring Marvin Berry to call his cousin Chuck and let him hear the song, which then leads Chuck to write and release it in 1958. Marty then hears it, learns it, and goes back in time to play it – creating a perfectly looping time-travel joke from directors Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale!

The scene’s impact resonates far beyond the film itself, inspiring countless musicians. Fox proudly shares that artists like John Mayer and Coldplay’s Chris Martin have told him they started playing guitar because of his performance. It’s a testament to the raw energy and sheer joy that Marty (and Fox) brought to the stage, cementing the Gibson ES-345 as one of the most culturally significant instruments of the decade, even if it was a few years ahead of its time.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About the Back to the Future Guitar Answered

Was the original Back to the Future guitar ever found?

As of late 2025, the original Gibson ES-345 guitar used in Back to the Future remains missing. Gibson has launched a global search, but it has not yet been recovered.

What kind of guitar did Marty McFly play in Back to the Future?

Marty McFly played a Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 electric guitar during the "Johnny B. Goode" scene in Back to the Future.

Why was the Gibson ES-345 a "mistake" in the movie?

The movie scene is set in 1955, but the Gibson ES-345 wasn't manufactured until 1958. This makes it a "temporal inconsistency" or anachronism for the film's timeline.

Is Gibson releasing a new Marty McFly signature guitar?

Yes, Gibson has teased an announcement for October 21, 2025, which strongly suggests they will be releasing a new production run or signature model of the iconic Marty McFly ES-345 guitar.

Sources

• IGN: https://www.ign.com/articles/back-to-the-future-michael-j-fox-temporal-inconsistency-guitar-scene
• No Film School: https://nofilmschool.com/back-to-the-future-guitar-mistake-michael-j-fox
• Guitar.com: https://guitar.com/news/gear-news/back-to-the-future-marty-mcfly-signature-es-345-teaser/
• Music Radar: https://www.musicradar.com/news/back-to-the-future-guitar-michael-j-fox-theory
• Us Weekly: https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/michael-j-fox-reveals-back-to-the-future-guitar-is-missing/
• Yahoo News: https://news.yahoo.com/michael-j-fox-reflections-family-030000305.html