The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) sought to shut down a Beatles concert primarily due to perceived anti-establishment sentiments expressed by the band and their members, particularly John Lennon. In 1966, Lennon made a controversial statement comparing The Beatles' popularity to that of Jesus, which sparked outrage among many religious groups and conservative organizations, including the KKK. They viewed the Beatles as a threat to traditional values and morality.
Additionally, there were broader tensions during the 1960s regarding cultural changes, civil rights movements, and the counterculture, all of which the KKK opposed. Their campaign against the Beatles reflected a larger reaction against the progressive and rebellious spirit of the era. While the specific actions and protests by the KKK were not widespread, they symbolized the deep divisions in American society at the time.