Jill Sobule, Trailblazing Singer-Songwriter Behind I Kissed a Girl, Dies in House Fire at 66
WOODBURY, Minn. — Jill Sobule, the fiercely independent singer-songwriter best known for her 1995 hit I Kissed a Girl, has died in a house fire in Minnesota. She was 66.
Her death was confirmed by publicist David Elkin on Thursday, though the cause of the fire in Woodbury remains under investigation.
Sobule rose to fame with a fearless voice, sharp wit, and unflinching honesty in her songwriting. Her breakout song, I Kissed a Girl, tackled themes of identity and sexuality at a time when few dared to. Though banned on several southern radio stations, it reached the Billboard Top 20 and became a cultural landmark.
“Jill Sobule was a force of nature and a human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture,” said her manager, John Porter. “I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”
Over more than 30 years, Sobule released 12 albums that fearlessly explored complex and deeply human topics—everything from the death penalty and eating disorders to reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ experiences.
Her first album, Things Here Are Different, debuted in 1990. Five years later, she struck a mainstream chord with two iconic tracks: Supermodel, featured in the film Clueless, and I Kissed a Girl. But Sobule never chased commercial trends—she built her career on authenticity.
In 2008, after setbacks with major and indie labels, Sobule turned directly to her fans, crowdfunding her next album well before platforms like Kickstarter became mainstream.
“The old kind of paradigm, where you waited for others to give you money and tell you what to do—it’s over,” she said at the time. “This is so great. I want to do everything like this.”
Born in Denver on Jan. 16, 1959, Sobule described herself as a shy child who found her voice through music. That voice would go on to share stages with legends like Neil Young, Billy Bragg, and Cyndi Lauper.
She brought that same voice to theater, too. In 2022, she premiered an autobiographical off-Broadway musical in New York, blending songs and stories from her own life. The following year, she told the Associated Press: “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.”
Fans cherished her live shows, often stripped-down and spontaneous. Sobule rarely used a set list, preferring to “wing it,” letting each performance breathe on its own.
She even made a cameo as herself on The Simpsons in 2019 and had the honor of inducting Neil Diamond into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Sobule was scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday night. Instead, an informal tribute will take place at the venue, hosted by radio personality Ron Bostwick, where fans are invited to share songs and stories in her honor. A formal memorial is planned for later this summer.
“No one made me laugh more,” said her booking agent Craig Grossman. “Her spirit and energy will be deeply missed within the music community and beyond.”
She is survived by her brother James Sobule, sister-in-law Mary Ellen, and extended family.
Jill Sobule’s fearless artistry and unwavering spirit blazed a trail for countless others. Her voice—raw, funny, defiant, and tender—remains unforgettable.
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