Songwriter Jill Sobule perishes in a destructive blaze, known for penning "I Kissed a Girl" hit single.
Jill Sobule, the notorious singer-songwriter behind "I Kissed a Girl," a groundbreaking tune in the LGBTQ+ charts, perished in a flaming inferno at a pal's crib in Woodbury, a Minneapolis suburb. The grim tragedy unfolded during the early hours of May 1st.
"Jill Sobule was a typhoon of energy and a crusader for human rights, whose tunes embody the very essence of our culture," her manager, John Porter, declared in a poignant statement. "Working with her was an absolute blast. Losing her as a client and a confidant feels like mourning a loved one. I pray her music, her memory, and her legacy remain ever-living and continue to motivate future generations."
Sobule's attorney, Ken Hertz, echoed the sentiments, stating, "She was family to us. She attended every birth, birthday, and holiday. She even sang at our daughter's wedding and served as my 'tech' when she performed via Zoom from our living room during lockdown."
Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Sobule first hit the scene in 1990 with her debut album, "Things Here Are Different." Five years later, she unveiled her self-titled album, which included "I Kissed a Girl" and the iconic "Supermodel," heard in the "Clueless" (1995) soundtrack.
Sobule's music tackled raw issues close to home, such as the death penalty, anorexia, shoplifting, procreation, and the MAGA movement. Lately, she had penned the autobiographical musical "Fck 7th Grade," due for release on June 6th, accompanied by a 30th-anniversary vinyl stacked with hits like "I Kissed a Girl" and "Supermodel." Sobule had even planned a performance at Denver's Tuft Theater of Swallow Hill Music on May 2nd, showcasing tunes from "Fck 7th Grade" and more. The show will now be reimagined as a memorial to honor her illustrious career.
Sobule frequently spoke about the meaning of "I Kissed a Girl" in the media, sharing her experiences during a 2021 interview with the Philadelphia Gay News. "When I got the record deal and sat in a conference room eager for the first big meeting, they said, 'We already have Tracy Chapman and Melissa Etheridge. Thank God we finally have a straight woman singer-songwriter.' They spooked me," she confessed. "When 'I Kissed a Girl' dropped, it wasn't even meant for the album, but the label thought differently and treated it like a novelty. For me, releasing it was crucial because it was the kind of song I'd have longed to hear when I was younger."
Sobule's "I Kissed a Girl" dropped a dozen years before Katy Perry's eponymous smash hit rose to number 1 in 2008. Sobule was one of the first to pledge to crowdfunding, fully financing her album "California Years" through fan contributions in 2009.
- Jill Sobule's manager, John Porter, expressed that her music, memory, and legacy should remain ever-living and continue to motivate future generations.
- The average age of Sobule's albums ranged from the debut in 1990 to her latest, "F*ck 7th Grade," which was due for release on June 6th.
- While Sobule was a straight woman singer-songwriter, her groundbreaking tune, "I Kissed a Girl," was significant in the LGBTQ+ charts.
- In the entertainment industry, celebrities like Jill Sobule who passed away during the 30th anniversary of her career will be deeply missed, and their contributions will continue to resonate in music and beyond.
