Jill Sobule, the acclaimed singer-songwriter celebrated for her groundbreaking LGBTQ+ anthem “I Kissed a Girl” and the satirical hit “Supermodel,” has died at age 66 in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. Sobule’s death was confirmed by her publicist and manager, who described her as “a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture”.
Firefighters responded to the blaze early Thursday morning after reports that someone might still be inside the residence. Upon entering, they discovered the body of a woman in her 60s, later identified as Sobule. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by local authorities.
Sobule was in Minnesota staying with friends while preparing for an upcoming performance in her hometown of Denver. She was set to present songs from her autobiographical musical “F*ck 7th Grade,” but the planned concert will now serve as a tribute to her life and career. A formal memorial is scheduled for later this summer.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Jill Sobule released 12 albums and became known for her witty, candid songwriting that tackled complex topics including LGBTQ+ rights, the death penalty, anorexia, and reproductive rights. Her self-titled 1995 album featured both “I Kissed a Girl”-widely recognized as the first openly gay-themed song to break into the Billboard Top 20-and “Supermodel,” which was featured in the film “Clueless”.
Reflecting on her career, Sobule once said, “In a good way, I feel like I’m still a rookie. There’s so much more to do and I haven’t done my best yet”. She was also an early pioneer of crowdfunding in music, raising tens of thousands of dollars from fans to produce her work after setbacks with major and indie labels.
Tributes have poured in from across the music and entertainment world. Her manager, John Porter, said, “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”. Actress Carrie Coon called Sobule “so special,” and Tracy Chapman urged fans to honor her by listening to her music.
Jill Sobule is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, as well as her nephews and cousins. Her legacy as a pioneering voice for LGBTQ+ representation and social commentary in pop music continues to inspire artists and listeners around the world.
