Latest news with #SwallowHillMusic
AsiaOne
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
US singer-songwriter Jill Sobule dies following a house fire, Entertainment News
Jill Sobule has died at 66 following a house fire. The singer-songwriter - who was best known for her hit singles I Kissed A Girl and Supermodel - died on Thursday (May 1) following a blaze at a property in Minneapolis. The cause of the fire has yet to be revealed but officials have reportedly launched an investigation. Jill's manager, John Porter, told Variety in a statement: "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 and legacy continue to live on and inspire others." The star's attorney, Ken Hertz, added: "Jill wasn't just a client. She was family to us. 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." The singer had been due to perform at Swallow Hill Music's Tuft Theater in Denver, Colorado on Friday night with her show Jill Sobule presents: Songs From F*** 7th Grade More and the venue released a statement confirming the concert will be replaced by a "free, informal gathering" to honour her memory. The statement read: "We are terribly saddened to share the news that Jill Sobule passed away yesterday. "Jill was a beloved member of the Swallow Hill community, and we know she will be sorely missed. Instead of the concert that was planned for tomorrow night, we will host a free, informal gathering in Jill's honour at Swallow Hill, from 7.30pm (9.30am Singapore time) to 9:00pm. All are welcome to attend. "We send our heartfelt condolences to all who knew her, and all who were moved, inspired, and entertained by her wonderful songs." Jill released her debut album Things Here Are Different in 1990 and she later shot to fame when her single I Kissed a Girl stormed the charts in 1995. Another song Supermodel also became a hit after featuring on the soundtrack to 1995 film Clueless. She released eight studio albums over the years, while she also toured with toured with Richard Barone as The Richard and Jill Show, played with Lloyd Cole's band The Negatives, appeared in 2004 film Mind The Gap, contributed music to Nickelodeon show Unfabulous and performed a show with Julia Sweeney called Jill and Julia. One of her most recent projects was working on an off-Broadway show called From F*** 7th Grade which ran between 2022 and 2024 and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. She later criticised pop star Katy Perry, who released another track with the same name in 2008. However, Jill later insisted she had no ill feelings towards the singer for using the same song title. In a piece written for the Huffington Post, Jill explained: "I may be a touch cynical about the business, but I have never really been angry or had ill feelings towards Katy herself. "I was actually in a small way happy to not be the Kissed a Girl girl anymore ... [I hope her fans are] okay with the title of my brand new song, I Kissed a Girl... First... Wink."
AsiaOne
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
US singer Jill Sobule dies following a house fire, Entertainment News
Jill Sobule has died at 66 following a house fire. The singer - who was best known for her hit singles I Kissed A Girl and Supermodel - died on Thursday (May 1) following a blaze at a property in Minneapolis. The cause of the fire has yet to be revealed but officials have reportedly launched an investigation. Jill's manager, John Porter, told Variety in a statement: "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 and legacy continue to live on and inspire others." The star's attorney, Ken Hertz, added: "Jill wasn't just a client. She was family to us. 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." The singer had been due to perform at Swallow Hill Music's Tuft Theater in Denver, Colorado on Friday night with her show Jill Sobule presents: Songs From F*** 7th Grade More and the venue released a statement confirming the concert will be replaced by a "free, informal gathering" to honour her memory. The statement read: "We are terribly saddened to share the news that Jill Sobule passed away yesterday. "Jill was a beloved member of the Swallow Hill community, and we know she will be sorely missed. Instead of the concert that was planned for tomorrow night, we will host a free, informal gathering in Jill's honour at Swallow Hill, from 7.30pm (9.30am Singapore time) to 9:00pm. All are welcome to attend. "We send our heartfelt condolences to all who knew her, and all who were moved, inspired, and entertained by her wonderful songs." Jill released her debut album Things Here Are Different in 1990 and she later shot to fame when her single I Kissed a Girl stormed the charts in 1995. Another song Supermodel also became a hit after featuring on the soundtrack to 1995 film Clueless. She released eight studio albums over the years, while she also toured with toured with Richard Barone as The Richard and Jill Show, played with Lloyd Cole's band The Negatives, appeared in 2004 film Mind The Gap, contributed music to Nickelodeon show Unfabulous and performed a show with Julia Sweeney called Jill and Julia. One of her most recent projects was working on an off-Broadway show called From F*** 7th Grade which ran between 2022 and 2024 and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. She later criticised pop star Katy Perry, who released another track with the same name in 2008. However, Jill later insisted she had no ill feelings towards the singer for using the same song title. In a piece written for the Huffington Post, Jill explained: "I may be a touch cynical about the business, but I have never really been angry or had ill feelings towards Katy herself. "I was actually in a small way happy to not be the Kissed a Girl girl anymore ... [I hope her fans are] okay with the title of my brand new song, I Kissed a Girl... First... Wink."
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Police launch investigation into I Kissed A Girl singer Jill Souble's death after house fire
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the untimely death of singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, best known for her groundbreaking hit 'I Kissed a Girl' The music world is mourning the loss of Jill Sobule, known for her 1995 hit single "I Kissed a Girl", who has tragically died at the age of 66. The singer-songwriter tragically died in a house fire in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday, May 1, as confirmed by a representative to Variety. Police in the suburb of Woodbury are now investigating the cause of the fire at the house where Sobule was found, the Star Tribune reported. Jill was scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday at Swallow Hill Music's Tuft Theater with a show titled "Jill Sobule presents: Songs From F--k 7th Grade and More." In light of her passing, the theater will host an informal gathering led by her friend Ron Bostwick from 105.5 FM. Her manager, John Porter, released a heartfelt statement to the publication, saying: "Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture." He went on to express his personal loss: "I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to live on and inspire others." Sobule's passing has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew her, both personally and professionally. Among them is her booking agent, Craig Grossman, who reflected on the rare connection they shared: '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.' Her attorney and longtime friend, Ken Hertz, echoed that sentiment, offering a glimpse into the closeness of their bond. 'Jill wasn't just a client. She was family to us. 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,' he said. Born in Denver in 1959, Sobule rose to prominence with her 1990 debut Things Here Are Different. But it was her self-titled 1995 album Jill Sobule that catapulted her into cultural significance. The release featured 'I Kissed a Girl,' a song that broke ground as one of the earliest mainstream tracks to unapologetically center LGBTQ+ identity, earning a spot on the Billboard Top 20. That same album gave fans the iconic anthem 'Supermodel,' further solidifying her place in pop culture. Never one to shy away from tough conversations, Sobule embedded activism into her art. Her lyrics tackled everything from reproductive rights to eating disorders, from shoplifting to capital punishment - and she didn't hesitate to critique political movements like MAGA through her work. She leaves behind her brother James and his wife Mary Ellen, nephews Ian Matthew and Robert, and Robert's wife Irina. A wide circle of cousins and friends also mourn her loss. A public memorial celebrating her life and artistic legacy is planned for this summer.
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.
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Jill Sobule dead at 66: Singer-songwriter famous for ‘I Kissed a Girl' and Clueless movie hit killed in house fire
LEGENDARY singer-songwriter Jill Sobule has been killed in a house fire aged 66. The pioneering artist wrote the 1995 hit I Kissed a Girl and featured on the movie soundtrack of the 90s classic film Clueless. Advertisement 4 Jill Sobule has tragically died in a house fire Credit: Getty 4 The singer-songwriter is known for her iconic song I Kissed a Girl Credit: Getty 4 She also featured on the 1955 Clueless soundtrack with her song Supermodel Credit: Alamy She appeared on the chick-flick favorite soundtrack in 1995 with the song Supermodel. The smash hit I Kissed a Girl was widely recognized as one of the first gay anthems ever to make the charts. Jill was preparing for a show in Denver on May 1, her home town, at Swallow Hill Music's Tuft Theater. In her music she touched on a range of sensitive topics throughout her eight well-received studio albums. Advertisement Read more She grew a loyal fanbase whose dedication aided the released of the album California Years in 2010, which was funded entirely by fan donations. In 2005 she wrote music for a popular Nickelodeon TV series Unfabulous and performed in the Jill and Julia show with actress and comedian Julia Sweeney a year later. John Porter, her manager, shared an emotional tribute to the singer: '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. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity "I lost a client and a friend today. "I hope her music, memory, & legacy continue to live on and inspire others." Her attorney Ken Hertz said: "Jill wasn't just a client. "She was family to us. She showed up for every birth, every birthday, and every holiday. Advertisement "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." Her representative said a celebration of Jill's life will take place place in Spring. 4 Jill was set to perform on May 1 in Denver Credit: Getty
