Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter best known for "I Kissed a Girl" and "Supermodel," tragically died at the age of 66 in a house fire. She is survived by her brother, James, sister-in-law, Mary, and two nephews.
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According to the New York Post, several sources confirmed that the house fire occurred early Thursday, May 1, 2025. No further details about the fire have been revealed at this time.
Sobule was set to perform at Swallow Hill Music's Tuft Theater in Denver on Friday, May 2. The venue's website confirmed the news of her passing and announced the show's cancellation. Instead, a "free, informal" gathering in Sobule's honor will take place at Swallow Hill from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. local time.
Many of the ones fortunate enough to work with her shared loving words about Sobule in a statement shared by Swallow Hill Music. Among them is John Porter, her manager.
"Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture," Porter said. "I was having so much fun working with her, I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others."
Craig Grossman, Sobule's booking agent, said, "I was fortunate enough to get to know Jill beyond a professional relationship. No one made me laugh more. Her spirit and energy shall be greatly missed within the music community and beyond."
Finally, her attorney, Ken Hertz, called her more than "just a client," calling her family.
"She showed up for every birth, every birthday, and every holiday," Hertz said. "She performed at our daughter's wedding, and I was her 'tech' when she performed by Zoom from our living room (while living with us) during the pandemic."
Remembering Jill Sobule
Born on January 16, 1959, in Denver, Colorado, Jill Sobule went on to become a beloved folk-pop singer-songwriter. Her career spanned more than three decades, releasing a total of eight albums, four EPs, and a greatest hits compilation.
Five years after releasing her debut album, Things Here Are Different, Sobule would reach major recognition in 1995 after releasing Jill Sobule, her second album. It contained "I Kissed a Girl," a song about a flirtatious lesbian relationship. It became a surprise hit at the time. Moreover, "Supermodel," a song that talks about Sobule's past with an eating disorder, became a hit after its inclusion in the soundtrack of the 1995 film Clueless.
