Jill Sobule, the pioneering singer‐songwriter renowned for her groundbreaking 1995 single “I Kissed a Girl,” died yesterday in a house fire at her residence in Woodbury, Minnesota. She was 66. Authorities continue to investigate the blaze’s cause, which occurred on the evening of May 1 and claimed Sobule’s life along with extensive damage to the property.
Sobule first captured international attention when “I Kissed a Girl” became the first overtly LGBTQ+ themed song to enter the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 67. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, she released eight critically acclaimed studio albums, performed worldwide, and earned a reputation as both a keen observer of contemporary life and a fearless advocate for social justice.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born on April 14, 1959, in Cleveland, Ohio, Jill Sobule displayed an early affinity for music and storytelling. She picked up her first guitar at age 12 and began writing songs as a teenager, drawing inspiration from folk luminaries such as Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. After studying theater at Ohio University, she moved to New York City in her early twenties to pursue a career on the Great White Way. While her initial aspirations centered on acting, Sobule soon found herself more drawn to songwriting and performance.
By the late 1980s, she had established herself on the Manhattan folk circuit, playing iconic venues such as The Bitter End and the Lone Star Café. Her self-released debut EP, Things Here Are Different, showcased both her lyrical wit and melodic prowess, earning her a small but devoted following among New York’s singer‐songwriter community.
