Latest news with #ThingsHereAreDifferent
News18
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
I Kissed A Girl Singer Jill Sobule Dies In Tragic House Fire Ahead Of Colorado Show
Last Updated: Jill Sobule tragically passed away in a house fire in Minneapolis, Minnesota and local authorities are trying to find out what caused the fire. Jill Sobule, the talented US-based songwriter known for composing hit songs like I Kissed a Girl, which is known as the first openly gay-themed track, died in a house fire. The singer was scheduled to perform in her hometown Denver, Colorado, but now a free fan gathering has been organised at the same venue to celebrate her life and contributions. Her manager, John Porter, confirmed the sad news and described Sobule as a 'force of nature" and a passionate supporter of human rights. Porter shared that he didn't just lose a client but a good friend. He now hopes that Sobule's songs and memories will continue to inspire people in the future. As per Variety, Porter, in a statement, said, '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." Ken Hertz, her longtime attorney, shared, '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." According to the Star Tribune, the Woodbury police received a call at around 5:30 am. When emergency teams reached the spot, they found the entire house was covered in flames. The homeowners informed them that someone might still be inside. Sadly, the police found a woman in her 60s dead inside the house. Right now, the local authorities are trying to find out what caused the fire. Jill Sobule's website mentions that she created around twelve albums over thirty years. Her songs spoke about many important topics like the death penalty, eating disorders, stealing, having children, the French Resistance, teenage struggles, LGBTQ issues and religious politics. Even though her songs were about serious matters, Jill always kept them easy to connect with and did not try to push her opinions. She started her music journey in 1990 with her first album Things Here Are Different, while her song Too Cool To Fall In Love got some attention on the radio. In 1995, Jill released a self titled album, which had two big hits Supermodel, featured in the movie Clueless and I Kissed A Girl, which made her popular. First Published:
Sky News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
I Kissed A Girl musician Jill Sobule dies in house fire
Jill Sobule, the award-winning singer-songwriter behind one of the first LGBTQ+ songs to hit the mainstream - I Kissed A Girl - has died in a house fire. Her death in Woodbury, Minnesota, was announced by her publicist. It was not immediately clear how the fire started. The 66-year-old's manager, John Porter, called her "a force of nature and human rights advocate," whose "music is woven into our culture". He said in a statement: "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 White Lotus star Carrie Coon posted on social media: "Jill Sobule was so special. Heartbreaking news." Sharing a photo of herself with Sobule from 2001, singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman wrote on X: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Jill Sobule. Let us listen to her music to honor the wonderful singer-songwriter she was." Sobule had been due to play a gig in Denver on Friday night, but the event will now become a tribute to her life. A formal memorial will be held later this summer. Over three decades of performing and recording, the singer-songwriter released 12 albums, exploring complex topics including the death penalty, anorexia nervosa, reproduction and LGBTQ+ issues. Her first album, Things Here Are Different, was released in 1990. Five years later, she received widespread attention for her hit singles, Supermodel, from the movie Clueless, and I Kissed A Girl, which, despite being banned on several southern radio stations, made it into the Billboard Top 20 in the US. In 2008, Katy Perry's worldwide hit I Kissed A Girl - which used the same title but was not a cover version - created a renewed interest in her track. Sobule also starred in an autobiographical off-Broadway musical featuring songs and stories about her life. An early adopter of crowdfunding, in 2008, after two major record companies dumped her and two indie labels went bankrupt beneath her, she raised tens of thousands of dollars from fans so she could make a new album. A shy child, Sobule was born in Denver, Colorado, on 16 January 1959. She would go on to perform with stars including Neil Young, Cyndi Lauper and Billy Bragg, and said she would "wing" her frequent live shows, never preparing a set list. She made a cameo on an episode of The Simpsons in 2019. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, she said: "In a good way, I feel like I'm still a rookie. There's so much more to do and I haven't done my best yet." She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, along with her nephews and cousins.
CBC
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, who hit with I Kissed a Girl, dead after house fire
Jill Sobule, the award-winning singer-songwriter whose witty and poignant writing first attracted widespread attention with the song I Kissed a Girl, died in a house fire Thursday. She was 66. Her death was confirmed by her publicist, David Elkin, in an email Thursday afternoon. It was not immediately clear how the fire in Woodbury, Minn., started. "Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture," John Porter, her manager, said in a statement. "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." During her more than three decades of recording, Sobule released 12 albums that addressed such complex topics as the death penalty, anorexia nervosa, reproduction and 2SLGBTQ+ issues. Her first album, Things Here Are Different, was released in 1990. Five years later, she received widespread attention for her hit singles, Supermodel, featured in the movie Clueless, and I Kissed A Girl, which, despite being banned on several southern radio stations, made it into the Billboard Top 20. The latter song's light-hearded video featured model Fabio as Sobule's love interest. Colorado concert to be a tribute instead Sobule was known for taking control of her career by fundraising so she could make her next album. In 2008, after two major record companies dumped her and two indie labels went bankrupt beneath her, she raised tens of thousands of dollars from fans so she could make a new album. "The old kind of paradigm, where you've always waited for other people to do things, you'd have your manager and your agent," she said at the time. "You'd wait for the big record company to give you money to do things and they tell you what to do. This is so great. I want to do everything like this." Sobule had shows scheduled in the U.S. through October, according to her website, and was scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday night. Instead, there will be an informal gathering hosted by her friend Ron Bostwick from 105.5 The Colorado Sound at the performance space where attendees can "share a story or song," according to her publicist. A formal memorial to celebrate her life and legacy will be held later this summer. "No one made me laugh more. Her spirit and energy shall be greatly missed within the music community and beyond," Craig Grossman, her booking agent, said in a statement. Artists who collaborated or toured with Sobule paid tribute online after her death was announced, including Lloyd Cole, Tom Morello, Mocean Worker, Eels and members of Nada Surf and the Violent Femmes. "Jill just finished a tour with us several days ago and was so full of life and talent. Our hearts are broken," the band the Fixx said in a social media post. Staged off-Broadway musical Born in Denver on Jan. 16, 1959, Sobule has described herself as a shy child who preferred observing over participating. She was known for playing dozens of shows a year and has described her live performances as vulnerable experiences. She said she often doesn't have a set list and wings it. She's performed with such icons as Neil Young, Billy Bragg and Cyndi Lauper and also inducted Neil Diamond into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, according to her website. She appeared as herself in episodes of West Wing and Treme and in animated form on The Simpsons in 2019. She also starred in an autobiographical off-Broadway musical that initially premiered at the Wild Project in New York in 2022 and includes songs and stories about her life. "In a good way, I feel like I'm still a rookie," she told The Associated Press in 2023 in an interview about her musical. "There's so much more to do and I haven't done my best yet." She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, along with her nephews and cousins.
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.
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
I Kissed A Girl singer-songwriter Jill Sobule dies in house fire
John Porter, her manager, said in a statement: 'Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture. Extremely sad to hear of the passing of my old friend @jillsobule. A true original. She and I wrote 'Manchild', the closing song on the first EELS album in the South of France one night when EELS wasn't even a thing yet. So long, old friend. You were so much fun to be around.E — EELS (@THE_EELS) May 2, 2025 '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.' During her more than three decades of recording, Sobule released 12 albums that addressed such complex topics as the death penalty, anorexia nervosa, reproduction and LGBTQ+ issues. Her first album, Things Here Are Different, was released in 1990. Five years later, she received widespread attention for her hit singles, Supermodel, from the movie Clueless, and I Kissed A Girl, which, despite being banned on several southern radio stations, made it into the Billboard Top 20 in the US. Oh, boy. Our dear friend @jillsobule has died. I'm really to numb to post much of anything. We loved her. She loved us. She was wonderful, brilliant, hilarious. We miss her, so much. — Lloyd Cole (@Lloyd_Cole) May 2, 2025 I Kissed A Girl has the same title as Katy Perry's 2008 worldwide hit, but they are two different songs. She also starred in an autobiographical off-Broadway musical that initially premiered at the Wild Project in New York in 2022 and includes songs and stories about her life. Sobule was known for taking control of her career by fundraising so she could make her next album. In 2008, after two major record companies dumped her and two indie labels went bankrupt beneath her, she raised tens of thousands of dollars from fans so she could make a new album. 'The old kind of paradigm, where you've always waited for other people to do things, you'd have your manager and your agent,' she said at the time. 'You'd wait for the big record company to give you money to do things and they tell you what to do. This is so great. I want to do everything like this.' Sobule was scheduled to perform in Denver on Friday night. Instead, there will be an informal gathering hosted by her friend Ron Bostwick from 105.5 The Colorado Sound at the performance space where attendees can 'share a story or song', according to her publicist. Sobule achieved fame in the 1990s thanks to her work on the movie Clueless (AP) A formal memorial to celebrate her life and legacy will be held later this summer. Craig Grossman, her booking agent, said: 'No-one made me laugh more. Her spirit and energy shall be greatly missed within the music community and beyond.' Born in Denver, Colorado, on January 16 1959, she has described herself as a shy child who preferred observing over participating. Sobule was known for playing dozens of shows a year and has described her live performances as vulnerable experiences. She said she often does not have a set list and wings it. She has performed with such icons as Neil Young, Billy Bragg and Cyndi Lauper, and also inducted Neil Diamond into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, according to her website. She also sang a song as herself on an episode of The Simpsons in 2019. 'In a good way, I feel like I'm still a rookie,' she told The Associated Press in 2023 in an interview about her musical. 'There's so much more to do and I haven't done my best yet.' She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, along with her nephews and cousins.
