Jill Sobule, the beloved singer-songwriter best known for her LGBTQ+ anthem “I Kissed a Girl,” tragically passed away in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. She was 66. The cause of the fire has not been officially determined.
Sobule’s manager, John Porter, described her as “a force of nature and human rights advocate,” emphasizing the profound impact her music had on culture. In a statement, Porter mourned the loss, stating, “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.”
Many of Sobule’s peers shared their condolences, including White Lotus star Carrie Coon, who expressed on social media, “Jill Sobule was so special. Heartbreaking news.” Tracy Chapman also paid tribute, posting a 2001 photo with Sobule on X and urging fans to honor her legacy by listening to her music.
Sobule was scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday, but the concert has now been turned into a tribute to her life. A formal memorial is planned for later this summer.
Throughout her three-decade career, Sobule released 12 albums that explored themes such as LGBTQ+ rights, the death penalty, and reproductive freedom. Her breakout hit, “I Kissed a Girl,” from 1995, became a Billboard Top 20 hit despite facing bans from some radio stations. In 2008, Katy Perry’s global hit with the same title revived interest in Sobule’s track.
A pioneer in crowdfunding, Sobule raised tens of thousands of dollars from fans in 2008 to finance a new album after facing significant challenges with major record companies. Over her career, she performed with legends like Neil Young, Cyndi Lauper, and Billy Bragg and even made a cameo on The Simpsons in 2019.
Sobule is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, as well as her nephews and cousins.
