Jill Sobule, the influential American singer-songwriter best known for her hit I Kissed a Girl and the satirical anthem Supermodel, has died at the age of 66. Authorities discovered her body on Thursday in a home in Woodbury, Minnesota, following a tragic house fire. Officials are currently investigating the cause of the blaze.
A Pioneer in Music and LGBTQ+ Representation
Sobule made history in 1995 with I Kissed a Girl, a track that broke new ground as one of the first openly LGBTQ+-themed songs to enter the Billboard Top 20. The song, featured on her self-titled album, peaked at number 20 and has since become a cultural milestone. It gained renewed attention in 2008 when Katy Perry released a different single under the same title, sparking conversations about representation and authenticity in music.
Her breakout year also included the release of Supermodel, a catchy, satirical track featured on the soundtrack of the hit teen film Clueless. The song became an anthem for a generation and further solidified her status as a bold and boundary-pushing artist.
Remembering a Musical Force and Advocate
Sobule’s manager, John Porter, confirmed her death and paid tribute in a heartfelt statement. “Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture,” he said. “I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”
Music correspondent Eric Alper echoed that sentiment, writing on social media, “She paved the way with heart, humour, and honesty… Her songs changed the soundtrack — and the conversation.” Actress Carrie Coon also responded to the news, calling Sobule “so special” and sharing her heartbreak over the loss.
A Career of Bold Themes and Creative Innovation
Born in 1959, Sobule launched her music career in 1990 with the debut album Things Here Are Different, produced by Todd Rundgren. Over three decades, she recorded a dozen albums that explored themes ranging from anorexia and the death penalty to social justice and personal identity.
Never one to follow industry conventions, Sobule became a trailblazer in crowdfunding, using it to independently release albums before it became a norm for many indie artists. She also wrote music for stage and television, including the theme song for Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous.
A Final Project Left Unfinished
At the time of her death, Sobule was preparing for a performance in her hometown of Denver. She had been scheduled to debut songs from her autobiographical stage musical, Fck 7th Grade*, which had received a Drama Desk nomination in 2023.
Now, instead of a concert, fans and loved ones will gather to honor her memory in a free public event.
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