Singer-Songwriter Jill Sobule Dies in Minnesota House Fire at 66

Jill Sobule, the acclaimed singer-songwriter known for the 1995 hit ‘I Kissed A Girl’, has died at the age of 66 in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Sobule was celebrated not only for her music but also for her advocacy of LGBTQ+ rights and her fearless exploration of complex social issues through her songs. Her manager, John Porter, praised her as a ‘force of nature’ and mourned both a client and a dear friend. Tributes have poured in from the music and entertainment world, with actress Carrie Coon and musician Tracy Chapman expressing their sorrow and admiration. Over a three-decade career, Sobule released 12 albums and addressed topics ranging from reproductive rights to mental health and identity. Her legacy includes iconic tracks like ‘Supermodel’ and her pioneering LGBTQ+ anthem ‘I Kissed A Girl’, which faced bans in some southern U.S. states but still achieved mainstream success. In 2008, she embraced crowdfunding to finance new music after setbacks with record labels. Sobule, a Denver native, had collaborated with notable artists and appeared on ‘The Simpsons’. A tribute concert in Denver will replace a planned performance, and a formal memorial is scheduled for the summer. She is survived by her family, including her brother and sister-in-law.