‘It was sixty years ago today’

    

Walter Shenson/Subafilms

At this hour sixty years ago, the Beatles performed on The Ed Sullivan Show.

While there are a few Freemasons depicted in the cover art of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, there aren’t Beatles-Craft connections that I know about, except. . . In 1965, the group filmed their second movie, Help!, which includes this quick, silly exchange between Ringo Starr and Alfie Bass:

Ringo: “Does this ring mean anything to you?”

Doorman: “Freemason?”

Ringo: “He’s from the west!”

Doorman: “Nah, east—Stepney!” 

Speaking of Sgt. Pepper, there is one obscure Masonic tangent. In their song “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite” are the lyrics:

For the benefit of Mister Kite,

There will be a show tonight on trampoline.

The Hendersons will all be there,

late of Pablo Fanque’s fair.

What a scene.

Kite, the Hendersons, and Pablo Fanque were real people, circus entertainers in England during the Victorian era. Fanque was a circus owner who erected his big top at occasional Masonic benefits, as hinted on this poster from 1848:

Click to enlarge.

The Beatles previously had been Quarrymen, but they never were Freemasons. It’s not too late! I’m sure Chelsea, St. Cecile, or any lodge would love to have Ringo or Paul.