Michael J. Fox Reveals 'Back to the Future' Guitar Scene's Enduring Influence on Rock Legends

Michael J. Fox's iconic performance as Marty McFly playing "Johnny B. Goode" in the 1985 film Back to the Future remains a culturally significant moment that has inspired renowned musicians like John Mayer and Chris Martin to pick up the guitar. Despite the scene's impact, Fox has never heard from Chuck Berry, the original songwriter of "Johnny B. Goode," who did not publicly comment on the film's homage before his passing in 2017. The film features a Gibson ES-345 guitar, which was not historically accurate for the 1955 setting, as it was released in 1959; the art department chose it for its visual similarity to the guitars Berry famously played. The timeline of the song's creation and recording also presents inconsistencies, as Berry’s "Johnny B. Goode" was written and recorded after the film's 1955 setting, and Berry’s earlier hit "Maybellene" had already been released by that time. Fox learned to mime guitar playing convincingly for the scene, although the music was prerecorded due to his inability to sing or play the guitar professionally. The scene captures the joy and expression of music, maintaining its legacy and influence nearly 40 years later.