MINNEAPOLIS, Mnn. — Jill Sobule, singer of 1995 hit tracks “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel,” has died at the age of 66.
Sobule died early Thursday morning in a house fire, according to a statement from her publicity firm.
It happened in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The singer hails from Denver and gained recognition for her track “I Kissed a Girl” from her self-titled album released in 1995. This song made history by being the first openly LGBTQ-themed track to reach the Billboard Top 20 charts.
One of her most famous singles is “Supermodel,” also from the same self-titled album. This track, her second single, gained widespread popularity after being featured in the hit movie “Clueless” in 1995, helping her to establish a presence in the mainstream music scene.
Jill’s manager, John Porter, expressed that Sobule is not only a talented musician but also an advocate for human rights, describing her as a powerful force of nature. He expressed his desire for her music, memory, and legacy to endure and continue to motivate and influence others for years to come.
Sobule’s musical career spanned over three decades, starting in the 1990s with her debut album “Things Here are Different,” which was produced by rock legend and record producer Todd Rundgren. The record was known for its track “Too Cool to Fall in Love.”
Her musical oeuvre includes 12 albums that take on issues including the death penalty, disordered eating and LGBTQ+ issues, among other topics. She performed with Neil Young, Cyndi Lauper and Tom Morello, among many others.
Sobule released her seventh studio album “California Years” in 2009 and then went on an extended break from releasing music. In 2018, she released what is now her final album, “Nostalgia Kills.”
“I was my own procrastinatrix, is what I call it,” she told Billboard in a 2018 interview about her long break between albums. “I started loving music again – loving listening, loving writing and the original spirit of why I did this in the first place, I suppose.”
Sobule added that she loved to perform, “and I love telling the stories of the songs.”
According to her website, Sobule was set to perform this weekend in Colorado, with further dates planned throughout the US into the summer and fall.
Her PR firm’s statement said there will be a formal memorial celebrating the singer’s life and legacy later this year.
Sobule is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, her nephews, cousins and friends.
