Iconic Songwriter Jill Sobule Passes Away in Tragic House Fire**

Sobule's influential career included hits like "I Kissed a Girl" and "Supermodel", leaving a legacy of advocacy and cultural impact, with tributes pouring in from across the music industry.**

Jill Sobule, the groundbreaking American songwriter renowned for her candid exploration of LGBTQ+ themes in music, has tragically passed away at the age of 66 in a house fire in Minneapolis, as confirmed by her publicist. The artist, famous for her 1995 hit "I Kissed a Girl", which is considered the first openly gay-themed song to break into the Billboard Top 20, was scheduled to perform in Denver this Friday, showcasing music from her autobiographical stage musical. A community gathering to honor her memory is being planned.

Born in 1959, Sobule's diverse career spanned nearly three decades, touching on pressing topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, anorexia, and the death penalty. Her most celebrated works feature on her self-titled 1995 album, including the iconic tracks "Supermodel" and "I Kissed a Girl". The latter song saw a resurgence in popularity in 2008 when Katy Perry released her own hit bearing the same name.

An innovative figure, Sobule was among the first musicians to embrace crowdfunding for album releases, further extending her reach by composing for theatre and television, including the theme tune for Nickelodeon's "Unfabulous". Tributes poured in following her passing, with her former manager John Porter describing her as a "force of nature and human rights advocate" whose contributions have become integral to cultural history.

Music commentator Eric Alper reflected on her legacy, noting her role in changing not only the music landscape but also societal conversations around identity and expression. Actress Carrie Coon lamented Sobule's loss, branding her as incredibly special. The police in Woodbury are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire that took her life.