Singer Jill Sobule Dies in House Fire at 66

The music world is mourning the tragic death of Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter best known for her 1995 LGBTQ+ anthem “I Kissed a Girl.” Sobule, 66, died in a house fire on Thursday, May 1, in Woodbury, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the cause of the blaze, according to the Star Tribune.

Sobule’s passing was confirmed by her representative to Variety. She had been scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday with her show “Jill Sobule presents: Songs From F–k 7th Grade and More.” In her memory, Swallow Hill Music’s Tuft Theater will instead host an informal gathering led by radio host Ron Bostwick.

Her manager, John Porter, said, “Jill Sobule was a force of nature and a human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture. I lost a client and a friend today.”

Born in Denver in 1959, Sobule rose to fame with her 1990 debut Things Here Are Different and later her self-titled 1995 album, which featured both “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel.” Known for fusing activism with art, her lyrics tackled political and social issues, including reproductive rights, mental health, and anti-MAGA sentiment.

She is survived by her brother James, sister-in-law Mary Ellen, nephews Ian and Robert, and many loving friends and cousins.

Police continue to investigate the fire’s cause.