Jill Sobule, a trailblazing American musician renowned for her hit "I Kissed a Girl," has tragically died in a house fire in Minneapolis, as confirmed by her publicist. The 66-year-old artist was planning to perform a special show in Denver this Friday, featuring songs from her autobiographical stage musical. Fans and peers have expressed their sorrow on social media, including British musician Lloyd Cole, who shared his shock and admiration for Sobule.
Born in 1959, Sobule captured attention with her 1995 album, which included satirical anthems like "Supermodel," featured in the classic film *Clueless*. Known as the first openly gay artist to break into the Billboard Top 20, her music addressed significant issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and mental health.
Sobule was also a pioneer of crowdfunding for music projects. Her manager, John Porter, and many others fondly remember her as a "force of nature" and a passionate advocate for human rights. Canadian music correspondent Eric Alper stated that her heartfelt and humorous songs changed the cultural landscape. Actress Carrie Coon echoed this sentiment, calling Sobule truly special.
The cause of the fire, which led to her untimely death, is under investigation by authorities in the suburb of Woodbury.
