Singer Jill Sobule, known for iconic ’90s anthems ‘I Kissed a Girl’ and ‘Supermodel,’ dies in house fire
Jill Sobule, singer of 1995 hit tracks “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel,” has died at the age of 66 in a house fire.
Sobule died early on Thursday morning, local time, according to a statement from her publicity firm.
The Denver-born singer’s song, “I Kissed a Girl” – off of her 1995 self-titled album – became the first openly LGBTQ-themed song to chart on the Billboard Top 20.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.She is perhaps best known for her single, “Supermodel,” which featured prominently in the popular 1995 movie “Clueless” and helped Sobule break through to the mainstream.
Her manager, John Porter, in a statement said Sobule was “a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture” and that he hoped her “music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others”.
Sobule’s musical career spanned over three decades, starting in the 1990s with her debut album “Things Here are Different”, which was produced by rock legend and record producer Todd Rundgren. The album was known for its track, “Too Cool to Fall in Love”.
Her musical oeuvre includes 12 albums that took on issues including the death penalty, disordered eating and LGBTQ+ issues. She also performed with a string of artists, including Neil Young, Cyndi Lauper and Tom Morello.
Sobule released her seventh studio album, “California Years”, in 2009 and then went on an extended break. In 2018, she released what is now her final album, “Nostalgia Kills”.
“I was my own procrastinatrix, is what I call it,” she told Billboard in a 2018 interview about her long break between albums. “I started loving music again — loving listening, loving writing and the original spirit of why I did this in the first place, I suppose.”
Sobule added that she loved to perform, “and I love telling the stories of the songs”.
Sobule’s PR firm said a formal memorial celebrating the singer’s life and legacy will take place later this year.
The singer is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, her nephews, cousins and friends.
Originally published on 7NEWS
