Ken Lonnquist, the prolific Madison, Wisconsin, singer-songwriter and musical-theater composer profiled in this week's Isthmus, is perhaps best known for his children's songs and musicals but also conceives, writes and performs songs for adult audiences. Much of his more mature material draws on early influences ranging from the Beatles to the satirical songwriter Tom Lehrer, whose topical songs set the headlines to music in ways that provoked audiences to laughter regardless of their political and social views.
"Foolhardy in Love," one Lonnquist's recent songs, fuses both of these early influences. The subject is former Beatle Paul McCartney and his messy divorce from Heather Mills, the model, animal-rights activist, vegetarian and amputee. During an interview at his home on Madison's east side, Lonnquist broke out the song for an impromptu performance - with a cameo appearance by the artist Joanne Schilling, Lonnquist's life partner.