Celebrated for her pioneering openly-gay themes in music, Sobule's legacy will leave an indelible mark on the music industry.
Tragic Loss: Ground-breaking Artist Jill Sobule Passes Away in House Fire
Tragic Loss: Ground-breaking Artist Jill Sobule Passes Away in House Fire
Jill Sobule, renowned for her trailblazing music career, dies tragically in a house fire in Minneapolis at age 66.
Jill Sobule, the iconic American songwriter whose groundbreaking single "I Kissed a Girl" became the first openly-gay song to reach the Billboard Top 20, has tragically died in a house fire in Minneapolis, as confirmed by her publicist. She was 66 years old. Sobule was set to perform in Denver on Friday, debuting songs from her autobiographical stage musical. In light of her passing, a free gathering is being organized in her memory.
Social media is flooded with tributes to the beloved artist, including heartfelt messages from English musician Lloyd Cole, who expressed his sorrow, stating, "I'm really too numb to post much of anything. We loved her. She loved us." Sobule, born in 1959, enjoyed a prolific career spanning three decades, tackling significant themes in her music such as the death penalty, anorexia, and LGBTQ+ rights. Her eponymous 1995 album, featuring popular tracks "Supermodel" and "I Kissed a Girl," solidified her status in the music industry.
The song "I Kissed a Girl" gained renewed attention in 2008 when pop star Katy Perry released a hit with the same name. Sobule was also an innovator in leveraging crowdfunding platforms for album releases and contributed to theater and television, notably composing the theme for Nickelodeon's "Unfabulous."
John Porter, Sobule's manager, described her as a "force of nature and human rights advocate," mourning the loss of both a client and a friend, and hoping her music and legacy will inspire future generations. Canadian music correspondent Eric Alper remarked on social media that she "paved the way with heart, humor, and honesty," emphasizing her influence on music and culture. American actress Carrie Coon shared her devastation over the news, calling Sobule "so special." Meanwhile, investigation efforts into the cause of the fire where Sobule was found are being conducted by local police in Woodbury, as reported by the Star Tribune.
