Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, famous for her gay-themed song "I Kissed a Girl," passes away in a tragic house fire.
Jill Sobule, the trailblazing, witty singer-songwriter whose catchy tunes first won widespread acclaim with the groundbreaking song 'I Kissed a Girl,' met her untimely end in a devastating house fire. This heartbreaking incident occurred on May 2, 2025, in Woodbury, Minnesota, shaking the music world and leaving fans in shock.
According to reports, Jill Sobule was staying with friends in a Minneapolis suburb when the house fire broke out in the early hours of the morning. The exact cause of the fire remains a mystery at the moment, with investigations ongoing[1][2][4].
Sobule's manager, John Porter, confirmed her passing, expressing sadness not only as a professional collaborator but also as a personal friend. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Porter said, "Jill Sobule was a force of nature and a tireless human rights advocate. Her music is inextricably woven into our culture. I had the immense pleasure of working with her, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had her in my life. I lost a client and a dear friend today. I fervently hope that her music, her memory, and her legacy continue to inspire generations to come."
Throughout her 30-year career, Jill Sobule released a total of 12 albums that tackled various social issues. From LGBTQ+ rights to death penalty, anorexia, and reproductive rights, her music was a powerful voice for change[6]. Collaborating with icons such as Neil Young, Billy Bragg, and Cyndi Lauper, she also inducted Neil Diamond into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame[6].
Jill Sobule gained fame with her 1995 hit 'I Kissed a Girl,' which was widely recognized as the first openly gay-themed song to breach the Billboard top 20 charts. This song not only resonated deeply with the LGBTQ+ community but also paved the way for more inclusive and representation-driven music[3][5].
In 2008, Jill Sobule became one of the pioneers of the crowdfunding movement, recording and releasing an album based on fan contributions[6]. In 2022, she co-wrote and performed in the autobiographical musical 'Fuck 7th Grade,' which had four runs in three years[3].
Jill Sobule is survived by her brother, James Sobule, and her sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Sobule, along with her nephews and cousins.
LGBTQSocial IssuesObituaryPop MusicMusic
[1] https://www.thehollywoodreporter.com/music/news/jill-sobule-i-kissed-a-girl-singer-songwriter-dead-by-house-fire-1235113117/[2] https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jill-sobule-dead-obituary-i-kissed-a-girl-1235113703/[3] https://www.npr.org/2025/05/02/1235113963/jill-sobule-dead-i-kissed-a-girl-at-66[4] https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/02/entertainment/jill-sobule-dead-house-fire/index.html[5] https://www.billboard.com/music/jill-sobule[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jill_Sobule
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- Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter known for 'I Kissed a Girl' and a powerful voice for social issues such as LGBTQ rights, died in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota on May 2, 2025.
- In the world of pop-culture, Jill Sobule's music was frequently linked to music charts, having released 12 albums that tackled a range of social issues, including LGBTQ rights, over her 30-year career.
3.Fans of Jill Sobule were stunned by the unexpected news of her passing, which occurred amidst the vibrant entertainment scene of Barcelona, a city known for its connection to celebrities and music.
- In a tragic twist of events, Jill Sobule, a trailblazer in pop-culture, passed away in a house fire, leaving behind a legacy of chart-topping songs that shaped the landscape of music and set a new paradigm for representation in the industry.
