Jill Sobule, the woman behind the 1995 hit song I Kissed a Girl, has died. She was 66.
A representative for the singer confirmed the news with Variety, revealing Sobule died in a Minneapolis house fire on Thursday morning (late Thursday night in Australia).
”Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture,” her manager John Porter told the publication.
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“I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today,” he continued.
“I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others.”
Sobule is credited as the artist behind the first openly-queer song to crack the Billboard top 20.
I Kissed a Girl was an integral part of paving the way for future queer pop stars to be open about their sexuality in their songwriting.
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Her career spanned more than three decades, with the musician releasing 12 albums over the years.
Some of her biggest hits included Supermodel from the Clueless soundtrack and Don’t Let Us Get Sick.
She was scheduled to perform Friday night in Denver, however there will now instead be an informal gathering hosted by her friend, Ron Bostwick.
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Over the years, Sobule has released music tackling some of the world’s major issues, ranging from songs about capital punishment and the Make America Great Again Movement, to lyrics about shoplifting and anorexia.
She was known to use crowdfunding to help her create and release albums, offering fans free downloads, hard copy albums, and even the opportunity to be featured on the record depending on how much they donated.
Most recently, Sobule created an autobiographical musical diving into the struggles of adolescence titled F— 7th Grade.
Tributes have begun to pour in for the late star, with collaborator, Sara Thyre taking to Instagram to remember her friend.
“This one hits hard,” she wrote.
“Jill Sobule was an amazing, generous artist who lent her time and talent to abortion rights and other progressive causes. She ALWAYS showed up and showed out.
“She composed the original theme song for my and @susanorlean’s “Crybabies” podcast and participated in my and @rachellichtman’s Bobbie Gentry doc. Above all, she was just lovely and playful and earnest and talented.
“Her song “I kissed a girl” blew the doors open for queer folk. This is so unbearably sad. Goodbye, sweet Jill. So grateful I got to be a fan and a friend.”
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Her agent Craig Grossman told Rolling Stone that he considered himself lucky to know Sobule.
“No one made me laugh more,” he said.
“Her spirit and energy shall be greatly missed within the music community and beyond.”
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