Freemasonry inspired many people over the centuries. Some of the most influential musicians of their times, whose works have lasting impact to this day, were members of the fraternity. Here are some of the more well known ones.
Franz Joseph Haydn
1732 – 1809
Was initiated in February 1785 in “Zur wahren Eintracht” Lodge in Vienna, Austria.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756 – 1791
Was initiated on December 14, 1784 in “Zur Wohltätigkeit” Lodge in Vienna, Austria
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770 – 1827
It is generally accepted that he was a Freemason, but the evidence of when he was initiated and what lodge he joined has been lost.
Felix Mendelssohn
1809 – 1847
There is no specific evidence that he ever joined the fraternity.
Franz Liszt
1811 – 1886
Was initiated in 1841 at “Zur Einigkeit” Lodge in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Johannes Brahms
1833 – 1897
There is no specific evidence that he ever joined the fraternity.
Gilbert and Sullivan
Sir William Schwenck Gilbert
1836 – 1911
Was raised on June 23, 1871 in St. Machar Lodge No. 54 in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan
1842 – 1900
Was raised on January 30, 1866 in Harmony Lodge No. 255 in Richmond, England.
John Philip Sousa
1854 – 1932
Was raised on 10 November 1881 at Hiram Lodge No. 10, Washington D.C.
Giacomo Puccini
1858 – 1924
Gustav Mahler
1860 – 1911
Jean Sibelius
1865 – 1957
Was a member of Soumi Lodge, No.1 in Helsinki, Finland.
Irving Berlin
1888 – 1989
Was raised on June 3, 1910 in Munn Lodge No. 190 in New York, New York.
Duke Ellington
1899 – 1974
Was a member of Social Lodge No. 1 PHA in Washington D.C.
Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong
1901 – 1971
Was a member of Montgomery Lodge No.18 PHA in New York, New York.
Count Basie
1904 – 1984
Was a member of Medina Lodge No. 19 PHA in New York, New York.
Nat King Cole
1919 – 1965
Was a member of Thomas Waller Lodge No. 49 PHA in Los Angeles, California.
John Entwhistle (The Who)
1944 – 2002
Was a member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Rick Wakeman (Yes)
Born 1949
He is a Past Master of Chelsea Lodge No. 3098 E.C. in London, England.
Phil Collins (Genesis)
Born 1951
There is no specific evidence that he ever joined the fraternity.
Mel Gaynor and Derek Forbes (Simple Minds)
Both are members of Shalom Lodge No.1600, Glasgow, Scotland.
Marshall Goodman (Sublime)
Born 1971
Was initiated in 2015 at Lakewood Lodge No. 728 in Long Beach, California.
Brad Paisley
Born 1972
Is a member of Hiram Lodge No. 7 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Tom DeLonge (Blink 182)
Born 1975
Is a member of Widow’s Sons Lodge No. 17 PHA in Kansas City, Missouri.
Apathy (Hip Hop)
Born 1979
He is a member of Coastal Lodge No. 57 in Stonington, Connecticut.