Huey Lewis joins search for missing ‘Back to the Future' guitar, talks hearing loss

San Francisco Chronicle​

05-06-2025

Huey Lewis is lending a hand in recovering Marty McFly's iconic guitar from 'Back to the Future.'
Various stars of the 1985 science-fiction film have united to support an international effort to uncover the whereabouts of the cherry red ES-345 guitar that McFly played 'Johnny B. Goode' on in honor of the film's 40th anniversary.
Gibson, the guitar's manufacturer, is leading the effort and enlisted the Huey Lewis and the News singer, who made music for the film and had an on-screen cameo, along with others such as franchise stars Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd and Harry Waters Jr., for a call to action video released Tuesday, June 3.
'Well, it's pretty amazing, really. I mean, to think about what it might be worth, right?' Lewis told People Magazine. '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.'
He also speculated that since there were several guitar techs on set, 'maybe somebody fell on hard times and had to sell it.'
'Who knows what that story is,' Lewis continued. 'But it's fairly interesting and apparently, because of the frets, it will be identifiable'
Those with information about the guitar's location can submit tips online at LostToTheFuture.com or by calling 1-855-345-1955.
Meanwhile, Gibson Films is working on a documentary about the search, featuring interviews with cast members and musicians that have been inspired by 'Back to the Future,' including Lewis.
The Grammy-winning musician wrote and performed the hit song 'The Power of Love' for the film, but has since retired from live performances after announcing that he suffers from significant hearing loss due to Ménière's disease in 2018. During a recent conversation with People Magazine, Lewis shared a positive outlook on the diagnosis.
'This is my cross to bear. I have a cochlear implant in my head that now enables me to hear speech much better,' he said, noting that he still can't hear music. 'I'm still a lucky guy and there are lots of people out there worse than I am. And it is very hard to remember that sometimes, but my kids help me do that. … You have to rebalance and things, but it doesn't mean that life is terrible.'
Though he's not able to enjoy music the way he used to, Lewis' disease hasn't stopped him. In 2020, Huey Lewis and the News put out its first new project in 19 years, ' Weather,' which was recorded around five to six years prior to Lewis' hearing loss.
He also devoted time to the jukebox musical, ' The Heart of Rock and Roll,' centered on his band's 1980s hits such as 'The Power of Love' and 'I Want a New Drug,' and a still-to-be-released mockumentary series that delves into his life and hearing loss.