Flames tragically claimed the life of Jill Sobule, the trailblazing singer-songwriter best known for her 1995 LGBTQ+ anthem “I Kissed a Girl,” in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. Authorities confirmed her death on May 2, 2025, while the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Sobule, 66, was preparing to perform in Denver the following night, a show that will now serve as a tribute concert in her memory.
With a career spanning over three decades, Sobule released 12 studio albums that fearlessly explored themes like gender identity, reproductive rights, addiction, mental health, and politics. Her 1990 debut album, “Things Here Are Different,” marked the start of a journey that would see her influence pop culture, social movements, and independent music long before it became mainstream. Her track “Supermodel” gained additional fame through its inclusion in the 1995 cult classic Clueless.
Fans and fellow artists are mourning the loss of a cultural icon. Award-winning actress Carrie Coon called Sobule “so special,” while singer Tracy Chapman, posting a 2001 photo of them together, urged fans to keep Sobule’s legacy alive by streaming her music. Her manager, John Porter, described her as “a force of nature and human rights advocate,” stating, “I lost a client and a friend. I hope her legacy inspires the next generation.”
Despite being blacklisted from several southern radio stations for the bold content of her breakout hit, Sobule broke barriers as an openly queer artist. Her version of “I Kissed a Girl” predates Katy Perry’s 2008 megahit of the same name and is widely credited for opening doors for LGBTQ+ representation in pop music. That same year, Sobule became one of the first musicians to successfully crowdfund an album, raising over $75,000 directly from fans after being dropped by major labels.
Her musical journey wasn’t limited to albums. She starred in an off-Broadway autobiographical musical that stitched together powerful personal stories with acoustic performances, earning acclaim for its raw honesty and wit. Known for her improvisational stage presence, she often performed without a setlist and shared the stage with legends like Neil Young, Cyndi Lauper, and Billy Bragg. In 2019, she made a lighthearted cameo on The Simpsons, adding a comedic touch to her multi-faceted legacy.
Born on January 16, 1959, in Denver, Colorado, Sobule often spoke about feeling like a “rookie” even in her sixties. “There’s still so much more to do,” she said in a 2023 interview with the Associated Press. Her family—brother James, sister-in-law Mary Ellen, and several nephews and cousins—survive her, with a formal memorial slated for the summer.
As news of her death circulates, fans are reigniting streams of her work across platforms. Tributes are pouring in, underscoring her role as a voice for the marginalized and a fearless artist who turned pain into poetry. With songs that still speak to today’s cultural struggles, Jill Sobule’s music may be more vital now than ever before.
