Jill Sobule, an influential American musician renowned for her openly-gay anthems, has tragically lost her life in a house fire in Minneapolis, according to her publicist. She was 66 years old and had planned to perform in Denver to highlight music from her autobiographical stage musical.
Famed for her satirical hit "Supermodel" featured in the 1995 film Clueless, Sobule was deeply respected within the music industry. The news of her passing has prompted a wave of tributes on social media, with English musician Lloyd Cole expressing profound sorrow, stating, "I'm really too numb to post much of anything. We loved her. She loved us."
Born in 1959, Sobule's career, spanning over thirty years, explored themes such as LGBTQ+ rights, the death penalty, and body image issues. Her breakout hit "I Kissed a Girl," regarded as a significant milestone in the music world, illuminated her role as the first openly gay artist to achieve a spot in the Billboard Top 20. The song gained additional recognition in 2008 when Katy Perry released a similarly named single.
Sobule was also known for her innovative approach to music distribution, harnessing crowdfunding for her album releases, and created music for television, including the theme for the Nickelodeon series Unfabulous. Her manager, John Porter, described her as a "force of nature" and a prominent advocate for human rights and culture.
Eric Alper, a Canadian music journalist, shared his admiration, highlighting Sobule's ability to blend heart and humor in her music, which transformed musical discussions about LGBTQ+ issues. Actress Carrie Coon also lamented the loss, calling Sobule "so special" in her heartfelt tribute.
Authorities in Woodbury are currently investigating the cause of the fire where Sobule was located, as fans and peers alike continue to honor her impactful legacy in music and advocacy.
