Singer-Songwriter Jill Sobule Dies at 66 in House Fire
Jill Sobule, the acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her groundbreaking 1995 single I Kissed a Girl, tragically passed away at the age of 66 following a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, on Thursday. Her publicist, David Elkin, confirmed her death in an email. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Sobule’s manager, John Porter, paid tribute to her, saying, “Jill was a creative powerhouse and a passionate advocate for human rights. Her music left a lasting mark on our culture. Today, I lost both a treasured client and a dear friend. May her legacy continue to inspire.”
Throughout her 30-year music career, Sobule released 12 albums, tackling powerful topics such as the justice system, eating disorders, and LGBTQ+ issues. She rose to prominence in the 1990s with her track Supermodel from the Clueless movie soundtrack, followed by the hit I Kissed a Girl, which broke into the Billboard Top 20.
Sobule was also ahead of her time in embracing independent music production. In 2008, she used crowdfunding to raise tens of thousands of dollars to create a self-produced album, helping pave the way for other artists to follow suit.
A planned concert in Denver has now been changed to a tribute event, where fans are encouraged to come together and honor her through stories and music.
Craig Grossman, her booking agent, said, “Jill had an unmatched sense of humor and a vibrant spirit. She brought joy to so many, and her absence will be deeply felt in the music world and beyond.”
She is survived by her brother James, sister-in-law Mary Ellen, and extended family members. A formal memorial service is expected to be held later this summer.
