Jill Sobule, the acclaimed singer-songwriter who first gained attention with her gay-themed song “I Kissed a Girl,” sadly passed away in a house fire on Thursday. She was 66 years old.
Her representative, David Elkin, confirmed her death in an email Thursday afternoon. The cause of the fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, has not yet been determined.
John Porter, Sobule’s manager, remarked in a statement, “Jill was a force of nature and a champion for human rights, and her music was an integral part of our culture.” He also expressed his personal loss, stating, “I enjoyed working with her immensely. Today, I lost both a client and a friend. Her music, memories, and legacy will surely continue to inspire others.”
Ken Hertz, her longtime attorney, shared his sentiments as well: “Jill wasn’t just a client; she felt like family. We shared every birthday and holiday. She performed at her daughter’s wedding and had me play tech during our Zoom sessions while living with us during the pandemic.”
Throughout her 30-plus years in the music industry, Sobule released 12 albums, tackling issues from death penalties and anorexia to LGBTQI+ topics.
Her debut album, “Things Here And Different,” hit the shelves in 1990, but it was in 1995 when she gained major recognition with the films “Clueless” and her popular single “Supermodel.”
Originally from Denver, Colorado, she was born on January 16, 1959, and often described herself as a shy child who preferred to observe rather than participate.
An official memorial service will take place later this summer to honor her life and contributions.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
