Jill Sobule, the lauded singer-songwriter known for her clever and touching lyricism, and whose song “I Kissed a Girl” brought her fame and stirred conversation around LGBTQ+ themes, tragically passed away in a house fire on Thursday at the age of 66. Her publicist, David Elkin, confirmed the unfortunate event but details regarding the origin of the fire at her home in Woodbury, Minnesota, remain undisclosed. Her manager, John Porter, praised her as a “force of nature and human rights advocate” whose impactful work has deeply influenced our culture. He expressed profound loss over her passing, emphasizing the hope that her artistry, memory, and legacy would continue to inspire.
Over more than thirty years in the music industry, Sobule courageously touched on various challenging subjects such as the death penalty, anorexia, fertility, and LGBTQ+ matters through her 12 albums. She first broke onto the scene with her 1990 debut album “Things Here Are Different.” However, it was her 1995 hit singles “Supermodel” from the ‘Clueless’ soundtrack and “I Kissed A Girl” that catapulted her into the limelight, with the latter climbing into the Billboard Top 20 despite facing bans in several southern radio stations.
Aside from her music, Sobule embarked on the theatrical stage with an autobiographical off-Broadway show that debuted at the Wild Project in New York in 2022, integrating her life stories and songs.
Defying conventional standards, Sobule took charge of her music career by innovatively funding her projects. In 2008, after losing deals with major labels and witnessing independent labels collapse, she rallied support from her fans to fund her new album. Reflecting on this experience, she expressed enthusiasm over having the creative freedom to control her destiny without relying on traditional industry structures.
Though Sobule was set to perform in Denver the night following her death, the event will now pivot to an informal gathering where friends and fans can honor her by sharing stories and songs, hosted by her friend Ron Bostwick from 105.5 The Colorado Sound at the original venue. A formal celebration of her life is planned for later this summer.
Her booking agent, Craig Grossman, described the significant void her absence will leave in the music community and beyond, reminiscing about her ability to bring laughter. Born on January 16, 1959, in Denver, Colorado, Sobule had described herself as a naturally shy individual inclined towards observation over participation.
Sobule’s live performances, often seen as vulnerable and genuine, were distinct because she improvised without a fixed set list. Her collaborations with legendary artists like Neil Young, Billy Bragg, and Cyndi Lauper defined her impressive career, and her notable acts include inducting Neil Diamond into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and making a cameo as herself in a “The Simpsons” episode in 2019.
Despite her achievements, Sobule had expressed in a 2023 interview a sense of being a “rookie,” eager to explore and accomplish more, believing her best work was yet to come. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, along with nephews and cousins.