In an unfortunate turn of events, singer-songwriter Jill Sobule has died in a house fire in Minneapolis, as confirmed by her publicist. Sobule, 66, was known for her groundbreaking song "I Kissed a Girl," which is celebrated as one of the first openly-gay anthems to reach the Billboard Top 20. Additionally, her satirical song "Supermodel," featured in the popular 1995 film "Clueless," solidified her status as a significant cultural figure.
Originally from a show scheduled to take place in Denver this Friday, Sobule's tragic passing has led to plans for a free tribute gathering in her memory. Social media has quickly filled with expressions of sorrow and admiration from fans and fellow musicians alike. Lloyd Cole, a notable English musician, shared, “I’m really too numb to post much of anything. We loved her. She loved us."
Jill Sobule was born in 1959 and her illustrious career spanned over three decades, touching on critical issues like LGBTQ+ rights, anorexia, and the death penalty through her music. Her self-titled album released in 1995 became particularly significant, containing hits like "I Kissed a Girl," which saw a resurgence in popularity in 2008 with Katy Perry's own track of the same name.
Sobule was also a pioneer of crowdfunding in the music industry and wrote for several TV shows, including the theme for Nickelodeon's "Unfabulous." Her manager, John Porter, described her as a "force of nature" and a committed human rights advocate. He reflected on the bond they shared, expressing hope that her legacy would continue to inspire.
Eric Alper, a Canadian music correspondent, noted Sobule’s impact, saying she "paved the way with heart, humour, and honesty” in her music and challenged societal norms with her lyrics. Actress Carrie Coon added to the chorus of tributes, stating, "Jill Sobule was so special. Heartbreaking news." The cause of the fire in Woodbury, where Sobule was found, is currently under investigation, according to reports from the Star Tribune.
Originally from a show scheduled to take place in Denver this Friday, Sobule's tragic passing has led to plans for a free tribute gathering in her memory. Social media has quickly filled with expressions of sorrow and admiration from fans and fellow musicians alike. Lloyd Cole, a notable English musician, shared, “I’m really too numb to post much of anything. We loved her. She loved us."
Jill Sobule was born in 1959 and her illustrious career spanned over three decades, touching on critical issues like LGBTQ+ rights, anorexia, and the death penalty through her music. Her self-titled album released in 1995 became particularly significant, containing hits like "I Kissed a Girl," which saw a resurgence in popularity in 2008 with Katy Perry's own track of the same name.
Sobule was also a pioneer of crowdfunding in the music industry and wrote for several TV shows, including the theme for Nickelodeon's "Unfabulous." Her manager, John Porter, described her as a "force of nature" and a committed human rights advocate. He reflected on the bond they shared, expressing hope that her legacy would continue to inspire.
Eric Alper, a Canadian music correspondent, noted Sobule’s impact, saying she "paved the way with heart, humour, and honesty” in her music and challenged societal norms with her lyrics. Actress Carrie Coon added to the chorus of tributes, stating, "Jill Sobule was so special. Heartbreaking news." The cause of the fire in Woodbury, where Sobule was found, is currently under investigation, according to reports from the Star Tribune.
