Singer, songwriter Jill Sobule dies in house fire
Jill Sobule, an acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her groundbreaking LGBTQ+ hit “I Kissed a Girl,” has tragically died in a house fire.
Her publicist announced her death in Woodbury, Minnesota. The cause of the fire remains unclear.
The 66-year-old’s manager, John Porter, called her “a force of nature and human rights advocate” whose “music is woven into our culture”.
He said in a statement: “I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”
White Lotus star Carrie Coon posted on social media: “Jill Sobule was so special. Heartbreaking news.”
Singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman shared a 2001 photo of herself with Jill Sobule on X, writing: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Jill Sobule. Let’s honor the incredible singer-songwriter she was by listening to her music.”
Sobule was scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday night, but the event will now serve as a tribute to her life. A formal memorial is planned for later this summer.
Throughout her three-decade career of performing and recording, the singer-songwriter released 12 albums that delved into complex themes such as the death penalty, anorexia nervosa, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ issues
