Jill Sobule, the acclaimed singer-songwriter best known for her witty lyrics and trailblazing song “I Kissed a Girl,” died tragically in a house fire on Thursday at the age of 66.
The incident occurred in Woodbury, Minnesota, and while details surrounding the cause of the fire remain unclear, the news has sent waves of grief through the music world. Sobule’s publicist, David Elkin, confirmed the heartbreaking news in an email Thursday afternoon.
Her death marks the loss of a pioneering voice whose work blended humor, vulnerability, and advocacy in a way few others dared.
John Porter, Sobule’s longtime manager, expressed his sorrow in a heartfelt statement: “Jill Sobule was a force of nature and a human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture. 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.”
The sentiment was echoed by others in the industry, many of whom had collaborated with or been influenced by Sobule’s fearless songwriting and deeply personal style.
Throughout her career, which spanned more than three decades, Sobule released 12 albums that fearlessly tackled complex and often taboo subjects. Her lyrics explored topics such as capital punishment, anorexia nervosa, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ issues long before they became mainstream conversations.
She had a knack for storytelling that was equal parts satirical and sincere, able to evoke laughter and tears within the span of a single song.
Her influence reached beyond entertainment—she became a cultural touchstone for many who found themselves in her lyrics.
Sobule’s major breakthrough came in 1995 with the release of her self-titled album, which featured the Billboard Top 20 hit “I Kissed a Girl”—a bold, gay-themed song that defied norms and stirred controversy, especially in conservative parts of the U.S.
The same year, she also garnered attention for “Supermodel,” which was prominently featured in the hit teen comedy Clueless. Despite some radio stations banning her songs, Sobule’s music connected with a wide audience, particularly those hungry for authentic voices.
Her talents extended beyond the recording studio. In 2022, she starred in an autobiographical off-Broadway musical that premiered at the Wild Project in New York.
The show, laced with original songs and personal anecdotes, offered audiences an intimate look at Sobule’s life and artistic journey.
“In a good way, I feel like I’m still a rookie,” she told the Associated Press during that time. “There’s so much more to do and I haven’t done my best yet.” Her words now echo with both poignancy and a sense of unfulfilled creative momentum.
Sobule was also a pioneer in independent music production. After facing setbacks with both major and indie record labels, she embraced a fan-funded model in 2008—well before crowdfunding became common in the music industry.
She raised tens of thousands of dollars from her supporters to record a new album, calling the experience liberating. “The old kind of paradigm, where you’ve always waited for other people to do things… This is so great. I want to do everything like this,” she said at the time, signaling a shift in how artists could take control of their careers.
Scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday night, Sobule’s show was tragically replaced with an informal gathering. Organized by her friend Ron Bostwick of 105.5 The Colorado Sound, the event welcomed fans and friends to “share a story or song” in her memory.
A formal memorial celebrating her life and legacy is expected later this summer, where those touched by her music and personality will gather to honor her in the way she so often honored others—through heartfelt expression.
“She brought joy, honesty, and fearlessness to every performance,” said Craig Grossman, her booking agent, in a statement following her death. “No one made me laugh more. Her spirit and energy shall be greatly missed within the music community and beyond.”
His words underscore the powerful emotional connection Sobule built with those who knew her—both on stage and off.
Born in Denver, Colorado, on January 16, 1959, Sobule often described herself as a quiet, observant child who preferred watching the world to participating in it. Yet she eventually found her voice—and it was a powerful one.
Known for playing dozens of shows annually, she approached each performance with vulnerability and improvisation. “I usually don’t have a set list,” she once said. “I just wing it.”
That spontaneity became one of her most endearing traits, helping her form unique, memorable experiences for her audiences.
Over the years, Sobule performed with a wide array of music legends, including Neil Young, Billy Bragg, and Cyndi Lauper. In a particularly proud moment, she inducted Neil Diamond into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Her eclectic career also included a guest appearance on The Simpsons in 2019, where she performed a song as herself—one more example of how deeply she embedded herself into pop culture.
Despite her success, Sobule never lost her drive to grow as an artist. Even late in her career, she maintained a sense of humility and a desire to improve. “There’s always more to say, more to write,” she once noted.
That unyielding curiosity and passion helped her remain relevant and admired across generations, especially among those who valued truth-telling through music.
Jill Sobule is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, along with nephews and cousins who mourn her loss.
Her family, like her fans, remember her not just as an artist, but as a person of profound empathy, humor, and courage.
Though she’s gone, the stories she told, the barriers she broke, and the lives she touched will ensure her legacy lives on for many years to come.
