Beloved "I Kissed a Girl" singer dies in sudden house fire at 66
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It’s the kind of loss that hits unexpectedly—leaving behind music, memories, and questions that don’t have easy answers.
She was a familiar voice for anyone who came of age in the ’90s, known for clever lyrics and fearless honesty.
Now, fans and fellow musicians are grieving the loss of a woman who wasn’t just ahead of her time—she helped change it.
Her sudden death in a tragic home fire has stunned the music world and beyond.
Jill Sobule, the trailblazing singer-songwriter best known for the groundbreaking 1995 hit I Kissed a Girl, has died at the age of 66.
Her representative confirmed that Sobule passed away in a house fire in Woodbury, just outside a major Midwest city.
The news quickly spread across social media and the music industry, sparking tributes from artists, activists, and fans alike.
Many are remembering Sobule not just for her voice, but for her unwavering dedication to equality, expression, and activism.
Her 1995 folk-pop anthem I Kissed a Girl made history as the first openly lesbian-themed song to break into the Billboard Top 20.
Long before such themes were common in mainstream pop, Sobule brought them forward with vulnerability and humor.
She followed that hit with Supermodel, a cultural classic featured on the Clueless soundtrack.
With 12 albums over a 30-year career, Sobule used her music to explore everything from body image and mental health to Jewish identity and politics.
Her influence stretched far beyond catchy melodies.
“She ALWAYS showed up and showed out,” shared longtime collaborator Sarah Thyre. “She composed the original theme song for my and @susanorlean’s 'Crybabies' podcast and participated in my and @rachellichtman’s Bobbie Gentry doc. Above all, she was just lovely and playful and earnest and talented. Her song 'I kissed a girl' blew the doors open for queer folk. This is so unbearably sad. Goodbye, sweet Jill. So grateful I got to be a fan and a friend.”
Comedian and friend Margaret Cho posted: “This is not real to me. @jillsobule I am in shock and cannot process this. #restinpower.”
Also read: Brave and beloved ‘80s rock icon passes away at 66
Even The Fixx, the band she had just finished touring with, expressed devastation.
“We are absolutely devastated and shocked to hear the news of Jill Sobule's untimely passing. Jill just finished a tour with us days ago...and was so full of life and talent. Our hearts are broken. We will always miss her.”
Her manager, John Porter, called her “a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture.”
"I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others,” Porter added.
Sobule’s live performances often turned audience members into friends. Her humor, openness, and fearless politics created a loyal community.
Born in 1959, Sobule released her debut album Things Here Are Different in 1990, produced by rock legend Todd Rundgren.
She signed with Atlantic Records in 1995, and that year released her self-titled album that included both I Kissed a Girl and Supermodel.
A 30th anniversary reissue of that album is scheduled for release on June 6, offering a bittersweet reminder of her legacy.
Her lyrics often touched on personal struggles, from anorexia and depression to issues of identity and belonging.
Her 2002 interview with The New York Times revealed the challenges she faced with labels and public expectation.
“All anyone wanted to know was, ‘What was I?’” she said.
“It was a weird thing, because there was a part of me that wanted to say I'm bisexual, but I just didn't want to get into that. There was a big debate about me, and people were saying, 'Oh, she's such a closet case—she won't come out and say she's a lesbian.' And other people were saying, 'Oh, she's a heterosexual woman trying to catch a lesbian trend.' You couldn't win.''
Despite the scrutiny, she remained unapologetically herself.
Also read: The heartbreaking story behind Jay North’s death at 73: Friends reveal the truth
Sobule’s more recent work included the Drama Desk–nominated autobiographical musical F-- 7th Grade.
The production explored the confusion and conflict of adolescence—a theme Sobule said never really leaves us.
“You’re suddenly in a body that doesn’t feel like yours anymore. I don’t think we ever get over that,” she told Playbill in 2023.
Even in her final years, Sobule stayed politically outspoken, penning bold songs like Don’t F--- in Texas, a jab at attacks on reproductive rights.
She didn’t just perform music—she used it as a mirror to reflect, and resist, the world around her.
Were you touched by Jill Sobule’s music or message? What songs or memories stick with you the most? Share your reflections in the comments—we’re remembering Jill not just through what she made, but through what she meant.
She was a familiar voice for anyone who came of age in the ’90s, known for clever lyrics and fearless honesty.
Now, fans and fellow musicians are grieving the loss of a woman who wasn’t just ahead of her time—she helped change it.
Her sudden death in a tragic home fire has stunned the music world and beyond.
Jill Sobule, the trailblazing singer-songwriter best known for the groundbreaking 1995 hit I Kissed a Girl, has died at the age of 66.
Her representative confirmed that Sobule passed away in a house fire in Woodbury, just outside a major Midwest city.
The news quickly spread across social media and the music industry, sparking tributes from artists, activists, and fans alike.
Many are remembering Sobule not just for her voice, but for her unwavering dedication to equality, expression, and activism.
Jill Sobule, best known for the groundbreaking 1995 hit I Kissed a Girl, has died at the age of 66. Image source: Entertainment Tonight / YouTube
Her 1995 folk-pop anthem I Kissed a Girl made history as the first openly lesbian-themed song to break into the Billboard Top 20.
Long before such themes were common in mainstream pop, Sobule brought them forward with vulnerability and humor.
She followed that hit with Supermodel, a cultural classic featured on the Clueless soundtrack.
With 12 albums over a 30-year career, Sobule used her music to explore everything from body image and mental health to Jewish identity and politics.
Her influence stretched far beyond catchy melodies.
“She ALWAYS showed up and showed out,” shared longtime collaborator Sarah Thyre. “She composed the original theme song for my and @susanorlean’s 'Crybabies' podcast and participated in my and @rachellichtman’s Bobbie Gentry doc. Above all, she was just lovely and playful and earnest and talented. Her song 'I kissed a girl' blew the doors open for queer folk. This is so unbearably sad. Goodbye, sweet Jill. So grateful I got to be a fan and a friend.”
Comedian and friend Margaret Cho posted: “This is not real to me. @jillsobule I am in shock and cannot process this. #restinpower.”
Also read: Brave and beloved ‘80s rock icon passes away at 66
Even The Fixx, the band she had just finished touring with, expressed devastation.
“We are absolutely devastated and shocked to hear the news of Jill Sobule's untimely passing. Jill just finished a tour with us days ago...and was so full of life and talent. Our hearts are broken. We will always miss her.”
Her manager, John Porter, called her “a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture.”
"I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others,” Porter added.
Sobule’s live performances often turned audience members into friends. Her humor, openness, and fearless politics created a loyal community.
Born in 1959, Sobule released her debut album Things Here Are Different in 1990, produced by rock legend Todd Rundgren.
She signed with Atlantic Records in 1995, and that year released her self-titled album that included both I Kissed a Girl and Supermodel.
A 30th anniversary reissue of that album is scheduled for release on June 6, offering a bittersweet reminder of her legacy.
Her lyrics often touched on personal struggles, from anorexia and depression to issues of identity and belonging.
Her 2002 interview with The New York Times revealed the challenges she faced with labels and public expectation.
“All anyone wanted to know was, ‘What was I?’” she said.
“It was a weird thing, because there was a part of me that wanted to say I'm bisexual, but I just didn't want to get into that. There was a big debate about me, and people were saying, 'Oh, she's such a closet case—she won't come out and say she's a lesbian.' And other people were saying, 'Oh, she's a heterosexual woman trying to catch a lesbian trend.' You couldn't win.''
Despite the scrutiny, she remained unapologetically herself.
Also read: The heartbreaking story behind Jay North’s death at 73: Friends reveal the truth
Sobule’s more recent work included the Drama Desk–nominated autobiographical musical F-- 7th Grade.
The production explored the confusion and conflict of adolescence—a theme Sobule said never really leaves us.
“You’re suddenly in a body that doesn’t feel like yours anymore. I don’t think we ever get over that,” she told Playbill in 2023.
Even in her final years, Sobule stayed politically outspoken, penning bold songs like Don’t F--- in Texas, a jab at attacks on reproductive rights.
She didn’t just perform music—she used it as a mirror to reflect, and resist, the world around her.
