At the age of 66, pioneering singer-songwriter Jill Sobule of "I Kissed a Girl" dies in a house fire

Sobule, an LGBTQ+ pioneer and daring storyteller, leaves behind a legacy of nearly 35 years of cultural criticism, theater, and music that pushes boundaries—always with a razor-edged heart and a crooked smile.

A Pioneer in Music Who Was Constantly Ahead

Jill Sobule was singing queer identity out loud long before the mainstream pop industry did. Three decades later, her droll, matter-of-fact honesty still resonates with listeners. Her song "I Kissed a Girl" (not to be mistaken with Katy Perry's 2008 single of the same name) was the first openly gay-themed song to make it into the Billboard Top 20.

However, it would be a disservice to characterize her just based on that tune. A kaleidoscope of sounds, tales, and soul filled Sobule's career. She wrote about everything from pop culture to politics, from eating disorders to the death penalty, and she incorporated these subjects into folk-pop songs that straddled the line between sincerity and sarcasm.

Her song "Supermodel," which was used in the 1995 adolescent classic Clueless, winked at the angst and ridiculousness of a generation. Additionally, in her later years, she put her all into the unvarnished and frequently humorous autobiographical musical "Fck 7th Grade"*, which received numerous theatrical awards and critical praise.

Completed Projects and an Active Life

Sobule's inventiveness had not diminished. In fact, a special 30th anniversary version of her 1995 self-titled album, which includes the songs "I Kissed a Girl" and "Supermodel," as well as the original cast recording of "Fck 7th Grade"*, are scheduled for release on June 6.

This weekend, she was scheduled to play at Swallow Hill Music's Tuft Theater in her hometown of Denver. Rather, the location will host a casual memorial service hosted by radio host Ron Bostwick of 105.5 FM, which will serve as a place for family, friends, and fans to come together in celebration and grief.

Keeping Jill Sobule in Mind

John Porter, her manager, revealed:

The music of Jill Sobule, a human rights activist and force of nature, is deeply ingrained in our culture. Working with her was a lot of fun. Today, I lost a friend and a client. I hope that others will continue to be inspired by her music, legacy, and memories.

Sobule's close friend and lifelong lawyer, Ken Hertz, remembered their intimate relationship:

"Jill was more than just a customer. We considered her family. She attended every birthday, every holiday, and every birth. She performed at the wedding of our daughter. When she lived with us during the pandemic, she even gave a Zoom performance from our living room.

A Career Unwilling to Be Boxed In

Todd Rundgren produced Jill Sobule's 1990 debut album, Things Here Are Different, which marked the beginning of her career. She was born in Denver in 1959.

The limitations of mainstream pop proved to be too strict for Sobule's expansive vision, even in spite of its monetary success. With scathing humor and compassion, her songs tackled subjects that other musicians would avoid, such as shoplifting, war, anorexia, and even the emergence of MAGA politics.

She eventually wrote the theme song for Nickelodeon's Unfabulous and released a dozen albums that alternated between introspective ballads and cultural satire before shifting her focus to indie releases and theatrical endeavors.

A Tradition That Does not Go Away

Jill Sobule was a cultural disruptor in addition to being a chart-topping performer. Others would not sing what she did. She made room in the music industry for tales without a stage yet. She accomplished all of this with heart, humor, and humility.

Her songs endure as a lasting testament to a life filled with humor, curiosity, and unreserved honesty, even as admirers and other musicians mourn the loss.

Jill, may you rest in peace. You made a mark when you kissed the globe.