Jill Sobule, the award-winning
singer-songwriter
Whose clever and insightful writing initially gained significant recognition due to the LGBTQ+-themed song “I Kissed a Girl,” passed away in a house fire on Thursday. She was 66 years old.
Her passing was verified by her spokesperson, David Elkin, via an emailed statement on Thursday afternoon. The cause of the blaze in Woodbury, Minnesota, remains undisclosed at this time.
Jill Sobule was a remarkable talent and an ardent supporter of human rights, whose music has become intertwined with our cultural fabric,” stated John Porter, her manager. “Collaborating with her was incredibly enjoyable. Today, I’ve not only lost a client but also a dear friend. I trust that her music, along with her enduring memory and legacy, will keep inspiring future generations.
Over her career spanning over thirty years, Sobule has produced 12 albums tackling intricate subjects including capital punishment, anorexia nervosa, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ matters.
Her debut album titled “Things Here Are Different” came out in 1990. She gained significant recognition five years after with two popular tracks: “Supermodel,” featured in the film “Clueless,” and “I Kissed A Girl.” Despite getting barred from various Southern radio stations, the latter managed to reach the top of the Billboard charts at number 20.
She additionally appeared in her autobiography.
off-Broadway musical
That first debuted at the Wild Project in New York in 2022 and features songs and tales from her life.
Sobule gained recognition for seizing control of her career through grassroots funding. In 2008, following the withdrawal of support from two prominent record companies and the collapse of two independent labels associated with her, she managed to raise substantial funds from her fan base to produce a fresh album.
The traditional model was about waiting for others to take action; relying on managers and agents,” she stated back then. “We used to depend on major record companies to provide funds and dictate our moves. This new approach is fantastic. I’m eager to handle everything this way.
Sobule was set to play in Denver on Friday evening. However, instead of performing, she will participate in an informal meet-up organized by her friend Ron Bostwick from 105.5 The Colorado Sound at the venue. Attendees are encouraged to share stories or music, as stated by her spokesperson.
A formal gathering to honor her life and heritage will take place later this summer.
“Craig Grossman, her booking agent, stated, ‘No one made me chuckle as much. Her vibrancy and vigor will be profoundly missed not only in the music world but also further afield,’”
She was born in Denver, Colorado, on January 16, 1959. Describing herself as a reserved child, she found more comfort in watching others rather than joining in.
Sobule was renowned for performing numerous gigs annually and characterized her live acts as emotionally exposed encounters. She mentioned that she frequently improvises without adhering to a predetermined playlist.
She has shared the stage with legendary artists like Neil Young, Billy Bragg, and Cyndi Lauper, and she inducted Neil Diamond into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, as mentioned on her official site. Additionally, she lent her voice to a character named after herself in an episode of “The Simpsons” back in 2019.
In a positive sense, I feel like I’m still just starting out,” she shared with The Associated Press in 2023 during an interview regarding her musical. “There’s still so much left to accomplish, and I believe I haven’t reached my peak performance yet.
Her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, as well as her nephews and cousins, survive her.
Hallie Golden from The Associated Press
