Jill Sobule, Iconic Singer-Songwriter, Dies in House Fire at 66

Sobule's legacy as a groundbreaking artist who shaped the music landscape and advocated for human rights will continue to inspire future generations.

Jill Sobule, celebrated for her contributions to music and culture, has tragically passed away in a house fire in Minneapolis at the age of 66, according to her publicist. Sobule is remembered for her groundbreaking track "I Kissed a Girl," which is recognized as one of the first songs featuring open LGBTQ+ themes to reach the Billboard Top 20.

Widely known for her satirical anthem "Supermodel," which gained fame through the popular 1995 film Clueless, Sobule was set to perform in her home city of Denver to promote her latest autobiographical stage musical. In the wake of her untimely death, a tribute gathering is being organized in her honor.

Social media has been flooded with tributes as the music community mourns her loss. Notable musician Lloyd Cole expressed his devastation, stating, "I'm really too numb to post much of anything. We loved her. She loved us."

Born in 1959, Sobule’s prolific 30-year career tackled a variety of societal issues, including the death penalty, mental health, and LGBTQ+ rights. Her self-titled 1995 album featured not only "Supermodel" but also "I Kissed a Girl," which experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2008 thanks to Katy Perry's release of a song with the same name.

In addition to her music career, Sobule was a pioneer in utilizing crowdfunding to finance her albums and contributed to various theater and television projects, including writing the theme song for Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous.

Her manager, John Porter, called her a "force of nature and human rights advocate" whose influence is deeply woven into the fabric of contemporary culture. "I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client & a friend today," he shared.

Canadian music correspondent Eric Alper praised her, noting she "paved the way with heart, humour, and honesty," and emphasized the impact of her notable hits on both the music scene and societal discussions. Actress Carrie Coon echoed similar sentiments, celebrating Sobule's uniqueness and expressing sorrow at the news.

Authorities in Woodbury are currently investigating the cause of the fire that claimed Sobule's life, marking a tragic end to a luminary's journey in the music industry.