Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, famed for her 1995 hit single “I Kissed a Girl”, has tragically died at the age of 66 after a fire broke out at her home in Minneapolis
Singer Jill Sobule has died at the age of 66.
The singer-songwriter was best known for her 1995 hit single “I Kissed a Girl”, and her hit Supermodel featured in the 1995 film Clueless. She once criticised fellow singer Katy Perry for having a 2008 song with the same name (“I Kissed a Girl”) but later stated she had no ill feelings towards Katy.
Jill tragically died in a house fire at a property in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday (May 1), a representative confirmed to Variety. The cause of the devastating fire is currently unknown.
Jill was scheduled to perform a show in Denver on Friday (May 2) at Swallow Hill Music’s Tuft Theater with a show titled “Jill Sobule presents: Songs From F–k 7th Grade and More.”
In light of her passing, the theater will now host a “free, informal gathering” to honour her memory, led by her friend Ron Bostwick from 105.5 FM. Her manager, John Porter, has paid a touching tribute to the star.
In a statement, he wrote: “Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture.”
He went on: “I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to live on and inspire others”, reports the Mirror US.
Jill’s booking agent, Craig Grossman, 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.”
Ken Hertz, Jill’s longtime attorney, commented: “Jill wasn’t just a client. She was family to us. She showed up for every birth, every birthday, and every holiday. 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.”
Swallow Hill Music’s Tuft Theatre also paid tribute to the trailblazing singer and shared details of the gathering for anyone who wishes to pay their respects. The venue wrote: “We are terribly saddened to share the news that Jill Sobule passed away yesterday.
“Jill was a beloved member of the Swallow Hill community, and we know she will be sorely missed. Instead of the concert that was planned for tomorrow night, we will host a free, informal gathering in Jill’s honor at Swallow Hill, from 7:30 – 9:00PM. All are welcome to attend.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to all who knew her, and all who were moved, inspired, and entertained by her wonderful songs.”
Born in Denver in 1959, the songstress entered the music scene in 1990 with her debut album, “Things Here Are Different.” Five years on, Jill dropped her eponymous album Jill Sobule, which featured her groundbreaking track “I Kissed a Girl.”
It was one of the first openly LGBTQ+ songs to make it into the Billboard Top 20. The album also boasted her popular single “Supermodel”, which featured on the soundtrack to the 1995 film Clueless.
Jill was a passionate human rights advocate, often using her music as a platform to combat challenging issues such as capital punishment, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, reproduction and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, and her nephews, Ian Matthew and Robert and Robert’s wife Irina. She is also survived by numerous beloved cousins and countless friends.
She lcriticised pop star Katy Perry, who released another track under the title “I Kissed a Girl” in 2008. However, Jill later insisted she had no ill feelings towards the singer for using the same song name.
In a piece written for the Huffington Post, Jill explained: “I may be a touch cynical about the business, but I have never really been angry or had ill feelings towards Katy herself.
“I was actually in a small way happy to not be the ‘Kissed a Girl’ girl anymore … [I hope her fans are] okay with the title of my brand new song, ‘I Kissed a Girl …First’ … Wink.”
There will be a formal memorial celebrating her life and legacy later this Summer.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
