Jill Sobule, the acclaimed singer-songwriter best known for her trailblazing LGBTQ+ anthem “I Kissed a Girl,” has died at the age of 66 in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, her publicist confirmed.
Sobule’s manager, John Porter, described her as “a force of nature and human rights advocate” whose work “is woven into our culture.” In a statement, he added, “I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry. White Lotus actor Carrie Coon wrote on social media: “Jill Sobule was so special. Heartbreaking news.” Fellow singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman posted a photo from 2001 alongside the caption: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Jill Sobule. Let’s honour the incredible singer-songwriter she was by listening to her music.”
Sobule was slated to perform in Denver on Friday night. That event will now be held in her honour, with a formal memorial planned for later this summer.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Sobule released 12 albums exploring complex themes such as capital punishment, eating disorders, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ identity. Her debut album, Things Here Are Different, was released in 1990.
She rose to national prominence in 1995 with the release of Supermodel, featured on the Clueless soundtrack, and I Kissed a Girl, which reached the Billboard Top 20 despite being banned by several Southern radio stations. In 2008, Katy Perry’s unrelated hit of the same name sparked renewed interest in Sobule’s original.
Beyond music, Sobule co-wrote and starred in an autobiographical off-Broadway musical and made a cameo appearance on The Simpsons in 2019. A pioneer in crowdfunding, she raised tens of thousands of dollars directly from fans to produce an album after losing support from both major and indie labels.
Born in Denver, Colorado, on January 16, 1959, Sobule performed alongside artists such as Neil Young, Cyndi Lauper, and Billy Bragg. Known for her spontaneous style, she often took the stage without a setlist.
“In a good way, I feel like I’m still a rookie,” she told the Associated Press in 2023. “There’s so much more to do, and I haven’t done my best yet.”
She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, as well as her nephews and cousins.
