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Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jill Sobule's Mysterious Death Sparks Investigation Into Possible Drug Link
Tragedy has struck the music world as "I Kissed a Girl" singer was found dead following a devastating house fire in Minnesota, and now officials are scrambling to determine exactly what happened in her final moments. The 66-year-old '90s alt-pop icon, known for her cult-favorite tracks featured in films like "Clueless," was discovered deceased Thursday morning after flames tore through a residence in Woodbury, a suburb of Minneapolis. But the blaze might not tell the full story of Jill Sobule's passing. Emergency crews with Woodbury Public Safety were called around 5:30 a.m. to the home, which was already engulfed in flames. Firefighters searched the property for a missing person, only to discover Sobule had perished inside. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown and is being treated as part of an active investigation. Her agent and manager later confirmed her death, calling Sobule a 'force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture.' Now, according to TMZ, a rep for the Ramsey County Medical Examiner confirmed another investigation is underway to find out whether Sobule died in the fire or before it. Authorities are reportedly conducting tests to check for the presence of drugs, alcohol, or carbon monoxide that could have played a role in her death. Fans of '90s music will remember Sobule for her charting hit "I Kissed a Girl," which reached No. 20 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1995, long before 's version of the same name took over the airwaves in 2008. And while Sobule initially claimed Perry's hit didn't faze her, things eventually turned ugly. 'In truth, she wrote it with a team of professional writers and was signed by the very same guy that signed me in 1995. I have not mentioned that in interviews as I don't want to sound bitter or petty 'cause, that's not me,' Sobule said in a 2008 interview, per Daily Mail. But by 2009, that cool had melted into rage. Daily Mail also reported that in a jaw-dropping interview with The Rumpus, Sobule didn't hold back. 'F-ck you Katy Perry, you f-ing stupid, maybe 'not good for the gays,' title thieving, haven't heard much else, so not quite sure if you're talented, f-ing little sl-t.' Despite the drama and her waning mainstream fame, Sobule never stopped making music. She continued recording and releasing new tracks well into her 60s, maintaining a loyal following who admired her raw talent and fearless voice. After her death, Sobule's manager, John Porter, told Variety, "Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture. 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's longtime attorney, Ken Hertz, also paid tribute. "Jill wasn't just a client. She was family to us," he said. "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." Born in Denver in 1959, Jill Sobule released her debut album, "Things Here Are Different," in 1990. A follow-up album, recorded with British singer Joe Jackson, was never released. She later signed with Atlantic Records in 1995, finding commercial success with her self-titled album. However, the constraints of the pop format often limited the breadth of her sharp, wide-ranging songwriting, which touched on topics as diverse as capital punishment, shoplifting, anorexia, and the MAGA movement. In the years that followed, Sobule continued to release music through independent labels while branching out into theatrical and television work, including composing the theme song for the Nickelodeon series "Unfabulous." Sobule is survived by her brother, James Sobule, and his wife, Mary Ellen, along with her nephews, Ian Matthew and Robert, and Robert's wife, Irina. Now, as investigators piece together the moments leading up to her tragic death, fans and friends alike are mourning the loss of a trailblazing artist whose voice won't soon be forgotten.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jill Sobule's mysterious death at age 66 draws investigation 'to see if drugs were involved'
An investigation has begun into Jill Sobule's mysterious death after the I Kissed A Girl singer passed away in a house fire this week. The beloved pop star, who is known for iconic '90s anthems which were featured in the cult classic film Clueless, was found dead at the age of 66 in a blaze at a Minneapolis residence. However, an investigation has launched to determine the exact circumstances of her tragic passing — specifically if she died before the fire broke out or due to the blaze. As investigators try to determine her time of death, they have started testing to see if drugs, alcohol or carbon monoxide played a part. A rep for the Ramsey County Medical Examiner in Minnesota reported that investigators are trying to figure out if she was still alive when the house fire broke out, per TMZ. Sobule was discovered to be deceased when Woodbury Public Safety received a call about an active housefire around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday and first responders arrived to begin searching for a missing person. Sobule's manager and agent confirmed her death, according to the outlet, as many mourned her for being a 'force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture.' Sobule tragically perished in a house fire in Minneapolis early on Thursday morning, according to Variety. Firefighters received a call around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday about a fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, according to local news reports. The home was already engulfed in flames by the time first responders arrived, and the blaze — whose cause wasn't immediately known — is reportedly under investigation. Sobule, who also had a song featured in the classic 1995 comedy Clueless, reached number 20 on US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks that year with I Kissed A Girl, making it the most-successful openly LGBTQ-themed song up to that point on the Billboard charts. She later feuded with Katy Perry after she released her hit song of the same name nearly a decade later in 2008. Sobule's song I Kissed A Girl reached number 20 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks in 1995, making it the first openly LGBTQ-themed song to reach hit status; Sobule is pictured in the song's video She later feuded with Katy Perry after she released her hit song of the same name nearly a decade later in 2008; Perry is pictured on April 23 in Mexico City In 2009, Sobule lashed out at Perry, calling her a 'f***ing little slut' in a 2009 interview with The Rumpus after initially claiming she wasn't bothered by the song. In a 2008 interview, the singer–songwriter claimed she didn't 'feel precious about the title,' but she also admitted to getting a thrill whenever compared Perry's song unfavorably to hers. Sobule eventually took issue with Perry reusing the song's name after the California Gurls singer claimed she had come up with 'in a dream.' 'In truth, she wrote it with a team of professional writers and was signed by the very same guy that signed me in 1995. I have not mentioned that in interviews as I don't want to sound bitter or petty — 'cause, that's not me.' In the same interview, Sobule vented her fury at Perry in a shocking tirade. 'F*** you Katy Perry, you f***ing stupid, maybe "not good for the gays," title thieving, haven't heard much else, so not quite sure if you're talented, f***ing little slut,' she said. Although her fame ebbed over time, she continued to regularly record and release new music in recent years. The performer had been scheduled to appear at Swallow Hill Music's Tuft Theater in Denver, Colorado — her birthplace — on Friday. Firefighters got a call around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday about a fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, according to local news reports. The fire, whose cause is unknown, had engulfed the home when first responders arrived and is now being investigated; seen in 1995 in Minneapolis Sobule was slated to perform a show of music from her recent autobiographical musical F*** 7th Grade, along with other tunes, but the event will reportedly now be an informal memorial hosted by 105.5 FM host Ron Bostwick, a friend of the late singer. Her representative added that a more formal memorial to her life and work will be held this summer. Sobule's manager, John Porter, said in a statement to Variety: 'Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture. 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's longtime attorney, Ken Hertz, also paid tribute to her in a statement. 'Jill wasn't just a client. She was family to us. She showed up for every birth, every birthday, and every holiday,' he said. '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.' Beginning with her 1990 debut, Things Here Are Different, Sobule released an impressive 10 studio albums and two live albums. She was also featured in a 2003 concert film and released a greatest-hits compilation in 2001, along with several EPs in the 2000s and early 2010s. Sobule had multiple projects in the works, included an original cast recording of F*** 7th Grade, which is scheduled for a June 6 release. The acclaimed show was a hit with critics and was named a New York Times Critic Pick before selling out multiple extensions of its original off-Broadway run in 2022. The show, which featured the singer performing a mix of new and old songs, was nominated for a Drama Desk award. F*** 7th Grade's original cast album will be released alongside a 30th anniversary reissue of her self-titled sophomore album. The original album featured I Kissed A Girl, and subsequent reissues have included her single Supermodel, which was originally featured on the Clueless soundtrack. The song — which Sobule didn't write, unlike I Kissed A Girl — was released as the third single from the hit Alicia Silverstone–starring film's soundtrack in August 1995. But unlike her earlier success that year, Supermodel failed to chart in the US, which though it had modest chart success in Australia. Sobule — who identified as bisexual — wasn't afraid to touch hot-button issues in her songs, which made the prospect of strong chart showings difficult after her initial successes in the mid-'90s. However, she maintained a devoted fan base all throughout her career, and it was thanks to them that she was able to crowdfund the recording of her 2009 LP California Years, even though that funding model was still in its infancy. She returned to crowdfunding to finance her 2018 album Nostalgia Kills, which was her last studio album released before her death. Aside form her work on record, she also contributed the theme song to the Nickelodeon sitcom Unfabulous, which aired from 2004–2007 and starred a young Emma Roberts. Sobule is survived by her brother James Sobule and his wife Mary Ellen, as well as by her nephews, Ian Matthew, Robert and his wife Irina.
International Business Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
Jill Sobule, 'I Kissed a Girl' and 'Supermodel' Singer, Dies Tragically in Minneapolis House Fire Aged 66 as Tributes Pour In
Jill Sobule, the singer best known for her groundbreaking 1995 hit "I Kissed a Girl," has tragically died. She was 66 years old. The musician and songwriter died in a house fire in Minneapolis, Minnesota, early Thursday morning, several of her former colleagues confirmed to multiple news outlets. Sobule shot to fame with the hit song "I Kissed a Girl," often recognized as the first openly gay-themed track to break into the Billboard Top 20. Millennials will remember Sobule for her track "Supermodel," which appeared in the 1995 teen coming-of-age classic Clueless. Her death was announced just a day before she was set to take the stage for a performance. Tragic Death of a Legend Firefighters received a call about a fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, according to local reports. By the time emergency responders arrived, the house was already engulfed in flames. The cause of the fire remains unclear and is currently under investigation. Sobule was preparing to perform for Jill Sobule presents: Songs From F–k 7th Grade & More, at the Tuft Theater at Swallow Hill Music in Denver, Colorado, on Friday, May 2. The event has since been canceled, according to the venue's website. Instead, a free, informal memorial gathering will be held to honor her memory. Sobule, who also had a song featured in the iconic 1995 comedy "Clueless", reached number 20 on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart that same year with "I Kissed a Girl" — which, at the time, was the most commercially successful openly LGBTQ-themed song on the Billboard charts. Years later, she had a public spat with Katy Perry, who released a different hit titled I Kissed a Girl in 2008. In a 2009 interview with The Rumpus, Sobule slammed Perry, referring to her as a "f***ing little slut," despite previously saying she wasn't upset by Perry's song. Back in 2008, Sobule had said she didn't feel overly attached to the title, though she did admit it gave her some satisfaction when people said her version was better than Perry's. Over time, Sobule grew frustrated with Perry's use of the same song title, especially after the California Gurls singer claimed she had dreamed it up on her own. Tributes Pour In Several of Sobule's colleagues paid tribute to her following the tragedy. "Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture. I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others," the singer's manager, John Porter, said in a statement. Sobule'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." Over the course of her 30-year career, Sobule released a total of 12 albums. In addition to her hit tracks "I Kissed a Girl" and "Supermodel," she also created the autobiographical musical F–k 7th Grade, which enjoyed a four-run theater production. The original cast recording of the Drama Desk-nominated show is set to come out next month, coinciding with the 30th anniversary re-release of her self-titled album that includes both of her signature songs. Originally from Denver, she debuted with the album "Things Here Are Different in 1990." Her second record, however, was never officially released. She signed with Atlantic Records in 1995, a move that gave a major boost to her career.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jill Sobule, 'I Kissed a Girl' singer, passes away in tragic house fire at 66
Jill Sobule , the singer-songwriter best known for her groundbreaking hit 'I Kissed a Girl' , has sadly passed away in a house fire in Minneapolis . She was 66 years old. Her manager, John Porter, confirmed the news, calling her 'a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture.' Sobule's demise has left fans and fellow musicians heartbroken. 'I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today,' Porter told to Variety. 'I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others.' Breaking Boundaries with 'I Kissed a Girl' Released in 1995, 'I Kissed a Girl' was one of the first openly lesbian-themed songs to break into the Billboard top 20. Its honest and playful lyrics helped open doors for LGBTQ+ voices in mainstream pop music. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo While the title was later made more famous by Katy Perry 's 2008 hit, Sobule's original version was praised for its heartfelt, folk-pop charm and meaningful message. It reached number 20 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and has remained an important part of queer music history. Jill Sobule's 1995 self-titled album also featured the cheeky track 'Supermodel', which became popular after being featured on the 'Clueless' movie soundtrack. The song poked fun at beauty standards and teenage pressures, quickly becoming a cult favourite. Sarah Thyre, who worked with Sobule on various projects, shared her grief on Instagram, 'This one hits hard. Jill Sobule was an amazing, generous artist who lent her time and talent to abortion rights and other progressive causes.'
