Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Popular singer Jill Sobule, renowned for her 1995 hit “I Kissed a Girl,” tragically perished in a house blaze in Minnesota early Thursday. The news of her death was conveyed by Sobule’s representatives. Sobule was 66 years old.
A Deadly Fire in Woodbury
The fatal incident transpired in Woodbury, a locality approximately 16 miles east of Minneapolis, according to the representatives. Local authorities reported that firefighters found the deceased woman following a residential fire that was reported just after 5:30 a.m. on Thursday.
A Voice for Human Rights
John Porter, Sobule’s manager, released a statement. “Jill Sobule was a powerhouse and a champion for human rights whose musical legacy is intertwined with our popular culture,” he declared.
The impact of “I kissed a girl”
Other Notable Works
Sobule’s contributions to popular music are notable which includes the track “Supermodel” from the soundtrack of the hit film “Clueless.”
A recent creative venture
Most recently, Sobule crafted a coming-of-age musical titled “F*** 7th Grade.” This off-Broadway production debuted in 2022 and received a Drama Desk nomination. The next year, it was recognized as a New York Times Critic’s Pick.
Upcoming Performance Turned Memorial
Sobule was due to perform in Denver at Swallow Hill on Friday night. Instead, an informal gathering is set to take place to honor her memory, as announced by her representatives.
A Contentious Tune: Katy Perry’s Version
In 2008, Katy Perry released a song titled “I Kissed a Girl.” It is essential to clarify that this was not a remake of Sobule’s track.
Following Sobule’s deliberately exaggerated and ironic remarks, she encountered backlash from some of Perry’s followers who misinterpreted her statements.
“I might harbor some cynicism toward the industry, but I have never harbored feelings of ill will toward Katy herself,” Sobule shared in a piece published on The Huffington Post at the time.
She expressed happiness that she would no longer be solely associated with the song “I Kissed a Girl.” Sobule humorously added, “I sincerely hope that her fans are at ease with the title of my latest composition, ‘I Kissed a Girl …First,’” she humorously concluded, adding a playful “Wink.”
Family
Sobule is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Mary Ellen Sobule, and her nephews, Ian Matthew, Robert, and Robert’s spouse Irina, her representatives stated.