Trailblazing Singer-Songwriter Jill Sobule Dies at 66 in Tragic House Fire
Jill Sobule, the fearless and influential singer-songwriter best known for her groundbreaking 1995 anthem “I Kissed a Girl,” has died at age 66 following a house fire on May 1, 2025, at her home in Woodbury, Minnesota. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the blaze.
Sobule’s death comes just weeks before the planned release of the 30th anniversary reissue of her self-titled breakthrough album—a milestone she had expressed great excitement about.
A bold voice in 1990s music, Sobule’s work broke barriers and challenged taboos, addressing themes like LGBTQ+ identity, body image, mental health, and capital punishment. Her candid, often satirical lyrics made her a cult favorite and a quiet revolutionary in pop and folk-rock circles.
Her career-defining moment came with “I Kissed a Girl,” the first Billboard-charting single to openly explore same-sex attraction. The song’s iconic video—featuring Fabio—cemented her place in pop culture history. That same year, her hit “Supermodel” became a teen anthem thanks to its inclusion in the beloved film Clueless.
Over a career that spanned more than three decades, Sobule released eight studio albums and four EPs, fusing sharp wit with raw vulnerability. Her longtime manager, John Porter, paid tribute, calling her “a force of nature—a musical pioneer and passionate advocate for human rights whose legacy is etched into the cultural fabric.”
Sobule is survived by her brother, sister-in-law, nephews, cousins, and a wide circle of close friends and devoted fans.
