Jill Sobule, the acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her sharp wit and emotional depth, passed away Thursday at age 66 in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. Her publicist, David Elkin, confirmed the tragic news. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
Sobule rose to prominence with her groundbreaking 1995 hit “I Kissed a Girl,” a candid and humorous take on same-sex attraction that broke cultural ground and stirred controversy, particularly in conservative regions. That same year, her track “Supermodel” gained additional fame through its inclusion in the film Clueless.
Throughout her career, which spanned more than 30 years, Sobule released 12 albums. Her music often tackled complex and sensitive subjects like capital punishment, eating disorders, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ themes. Her work resonated for its honesty, intelligence, and unique perspective.
Her manager, John Porter, paid tribute in a statement, calling Sobule “a force of nature and a human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture.” He added, “I lost both a client and a dear friend. I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to inspire others.”
Sobule’s debut album, Things Here Are Different, came out in 1990, but it was her mid-’90s releases that cemented her place in the music world. Despite being dropped by major record labels and watching indie labels collapse, Sobule took control of her career by pioneering fan-based fundraising. In 2008, she raised tens of thousands of dollars directly from supporters to independently produce a new album.
Speaking about that moment, she reflected on how liberating it felt to bypass traditional industry models. “You’d wait for a big record company to give you money and then they tell you what to do,” she once said. “This is so great. I want to do everything like this.”
Known for her warm, offbeat live performances, Sobule played dozens of shows each year, often without a formal set list. Her storytelling and vulnerability created intimate, memorable concerts. In 2022, she brought her life story to the stage in an autobiographical off-Broadway musical at New York’s Wild Project, blending personal anecdotes with song.
Sobule was slated to perform in Denver on Friday, but instead, fans and friends will gather informally at the venue to remember her through stories and music. A formal memorial is planned for later this summer.
Booking agent Craig Grossman said, “No one made me laugh more. Her spirit and energy will be greatly missed by the music community and beyond.”
Born in Denver, Colorado, on January 16, 1959, Sobule often described herself as a shy child who found comfort in observing the world around her. Over the years, she performed with legendary artists like Neil Young, Billy Bragg, and Cyndi Lauper, and even inducted Neil Diamond into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2019, she made a guest appearance on The Simpsons, performing as herself.
Even later in life, she remained hungry to create. “In a good way, I feel like I’m still a rookie,” she said in a 2023 interview about her musical. “There’s so much more to do and I haven’t done my best yet.”
She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, as well as several nephews and cousins.
