Jill Sobule, Singer-Songwriter of ‘I Kissed a Girl,’ Dies in House Fire
Jill Sobule, ‘I Kissed a Girl’ Singer-Songwriter, Dies at 66
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WOODBURY, Minn.(AP) — Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter best known for her 1995 hit “I Kissed a Girl,” which brought LGBTQ+ themes into mainstream pop music, died in a house fire Thursday. She was 66.
David Elkin, Sobule’s publicist, confirmed her death in an email. The cause of the fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, remains under inquiry.
A “Force of nature”
John Porter, Sobule’s manager, described her as a ”force of nature and human rights advocate” in a statement. “Her music is woven into our culture,” Porter said. “I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client & a friend today. I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”
A Career Spanning Decades
Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Sobule released 12 albums. Her work explored complex and often challenging subjects, including the death penalty, anorexia nervosa, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ issues.
Sobule’s debut album, “Things Here Are Different,” was released in 1990. In 1995, she gained wider recognition with the singles “Supermodel,” featured in the film “Clueless,” and “I Kissed A Girl.” Despite being banned by some radio stations in the South, “I Kissed A Girl” reached the Billboard Top 20.
Beyond Music: Off-Broadway and Independence
In 2022, Sobule starred in an autobiographical off-Broadway musical at the Wild Project in New York, sharing songs and stories from her life.
Sobule was known for her independant spirit and proactive approach to her career. In 2008, after being dropped by two major record labels and seeing two indie labels go bankrupt, she raised funds directly from fans to produce a new album.
“The old kind of paradigm, where you’ve always waited for other people to do things… You’d wait for the big record company to give you money to do things and they tell you what to do,” Sobule said at the time. “This is so great.I want to do everything like this.”
Tributes and Memorial Plans
Sobule had been scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday.Instead, a gathering will be held at the performance space, hosted by Ron Bostwick of 105.5 The Colorado Sound,where attendees are invited to “share a story or song,” according to her publicist.
A formal memorial service is planned for later this summer.
Craig Grossman, Sobule’s booking agent, said in a statement, “No one made me laugh more. Her spirit and energy shall be greatly missed within the music community and beyond.”
Early Life and Influences
Born in Denver, Colorado, on Jan.16, 1959, Sobule described herself as a shy child who preferred observation to participation.
Known for performing dozens of shows annually, Sobule characterized her live performances as vulnerable and often improvised, foregoing a set list.
She shared the stage with artists such as Neil Young, Billy Bragg, and Cyndi Lauper. According to her website, she also inducted Neil Diamond into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and voiced a character on an episode of “The Simpsons” in 2019.
“In a good way, I feel like I’m still a rookie,” Sobule told The associated Press in 2023, discussing her musical. “There’s so much more to do and I haven’t done my best yet.”
Sobule is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, as well as her nephews and cousins.
Jill Sobule: Remembering the Trailblazing Singer-Songwriter
This article remembers the life and legacy of Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter known for her impactful music and independent spirit. We will answer some common questions about her life and career, drawing exclusively from the provided text.
Q: Who was Jill Sobule?
A: Jill Sobule was an American singer-songwriter, best known for her 1995 hit song, “I Kissed a Girl.” She was a pioneering artist who brought LGBTQ+ themes into mainstream pop music. She died on Thursday in a house fire at the age of 66.
Q: How did Jill Sobule die?
A: Jill Sobule died in a house fire on Thursday. The fire occurred in Woodbury, Minnesota. The cause of the fire is under inquiry.
Q: What was Jill Sobule known for beyond “I kissed a Girl?”
A: Beyond her hit song, Sobule was celebrated for her long and impactful career spanning over 30 years, releasing 12 albums. Her work explored complex themes such as the death penalty,anorexia nervosa,reproductive rights,and LGBTQ+ issues. She was also known for her independent spirit and proactive approach to her career, famously raising funds from fans to produce an album after being dropped by major record labels.
Q: What did people say about Jill Sobule?
A: Those who knew and worked with Jill Sobule had many positive things to say about her. John Porter, Sobule’s manager, described her as a “force of nature and human rights advocate.” Craig Grossman, her booking agent, stated that “No one made me laugh more.”
Q: What was her debut album and when was it released?
A: Her debut album, “Things Here Are Different,” was released in 1990.
Q: Did Jill Sobule have any other notable songs?
A: Yes,Sobule gained wider recognition in 1995 with the singles “Supermodel,” featured in the film “Clueless,” in addition to “I Kissed A Girl.”
Q: What kind of live performer was Jill Sobule?
A: sobule was known for her vulnerable and often improvised live performances, foregoing a set list.She performed dozens of shows annually.
Q: What are the memorial plans for Jill Sobule?
A: A gathering was scheduled to be held at the performance space in Denver, where she had been planned to perform on Friday, hosted by Ron Bostwick of 105.5 The Colorado Sound. Attendees are invited to “share a story or song”. A formal memorial service is planned for later this summer.
Q: what was Jill Sobule’s early life like?
A: Born in Denver, Colorado, on January 16, 1959, Jill Sobule described herself as a shy child who preferred observation to participation.
Q: Did Jill Sobule make appearances on other platforms or with other artists through her career?
A: Yes, Jill Sobule shared the stage with artists such as Neil Young, Billy Bragg, and Cyndi Lauper. According to her website (not directly referenced in the provided text), she also inducted Neil diamond into the Songwriter’s hall of Fame and voiced a character on an episode of “The Simpsons” in 2019.
Q: Who survives Jill Sobule?
A: Sobule is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen sobule, as well as her nephews and cousins.