Jill Sobule, the influential American singer-songwriter best known for her 1995 hit I Kissed a Girl, has died in a house fire in Minneapolis, Minnesota, according to her publicist. She was 66.
Sobule’s trailblazing single, widely regarded as one of the first openly LGBTQ+-themed songs to break into the Billboard Top 20, helped define her as a fearless and boundary-pushing artist. Her satirical anthem Supermodel, featured in the iconic 1995 teen film Clueless, further cemented her place in pop culture.
She had been scheduled to perform on Friday in her hometown of Denver, Colorado, where she planned to debut songs from an autobiographical stage musical. Instead, a public gathering will now be held to honor her life and legacy.
Tributes have poured in across social media. English musician Lloyd Cole shared: “I'm really too numb to post much of anything. We loved her. She loved us.”
Born in 1959, Sobule’s career spanned over three decades. Her work tackled bold topics including the death penalty, eating disorders, and LGBTQ+ rights with wit, depth, and compassion.
Her 1995 self-titled album, which featured both I Kissed a Girl and Supermodel, marked the height of her mainstream success. When Katy Perry released a different song with the same title in 2008, Sobule’s version regained public interest and recognition for its pioneering message.
A forward-thinking artist, Sobule later embraced crowdfunding as a way to release her music independently. She also wrote songs for theater and television, including the theme for Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous.
Her longtime manager John Porter described her as “a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture.” He added, “I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”
Canadian music journalist Eric Alper praised her as someone who “paved the way with heart, humour, and honesty,” noting her impact on both the industry and the broader cultural conversation. American actress Carrie Coon simply wrote: “Jill Sobule was so special. Heartbreaking news.”
Authorities in Woodbury, a suburb of Minneapolis, are currently investigating the cause of the fire, according to the Star Tribune..........Read More