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.
