Famed Singer-Songwriter Jill Sobule Dies in Tragic Fire
This one hurts. Jill Sobule, whose name is forever tied to the alt-pop hit “I Kissed a Girl,” died early Thursday at 66 after a house fire ripped through a suburban home in Woodbury, Minnesota. What shocked everyone even more was the confusion around her final moments. The couple who owned the house—old friends of Sobule—thought she had made it out with them when fire alarms started blaring. Only later, as the flames raged, did they realize she hadn’t made it outside at all.
The fire completely destroyed their home on Pinehurst Road, with nothing left to salvage. Jill Sobule, whose influence stretched far beyond her breakout single, was discovered by firefighters inside the ruins. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner is still digging through evidence to learn what exactly happened—whether Sobule was overcome by smoke before the flames reached her, or if she died some other way connected to the tragedy. Standard toxicology tests will check for alcohol, drugs, or carbon monoxide, though her agent, Craig Grossman, firmly says drugs weren’t a part of Sobule’s life, nor were cigarettes a factor in the household. The fire’s cause remains a mystery for now.
The loss leaves Sobule’s friends and the couple who hosted her wrestling with complicated emotions, especially as survivor’s guilt sinks in. They described the chaos of the escape—their relief turning to horror when they realized she hadn’t made it out behind them. That misunderstanding haunts everyone close to the scene.
The Legacy of an Unapologetic Voice
Sobule wasn’t some one-hit-wonder from the nineties. Her self-titled 1995 album put her on the map with not just “I Kissed a Girl”—the first openly gay song to crack the Billboard Top 20—but also with “Supermodel,” the tongue-in-cheek track that wound up on the Clueless movie soundtrack. She sang about life’s awkward truths, sexuality, and growing up at a time when the charts weren’t exactly friendly to queer stories. Jill, who identified as bisexual, wasn’t boxed in by her breakthrough single. Her career included a passionate fan base, indie albums, and a reputation for helping other musicians find their voice.
At the time of her death, Sobule was still chasing new creative highs. She was booked for shows in Denver and Minneapolis—with an especially anticipated summer concert scheduled at the Parkway, a Minneapolis landmark for independent artists and fans. News of her death sent shockwaves through the local music scene, which was gearing up to see her live this June.
Her passing isn’t just tragic for its circumstances—it hits differently because Sobule was still inspiring people in 2024, with her signature wit and candid storytelling. She leaves behind unfinished gigs, a gutted home, and two deeply distraught friends who will probably never stop replaying that morning in their minds.
May, 3 2025