A famous singer-songwriter and guitarist is dead after a house fire in Woodbury Thursday, May 1.
Jill Sobule, 66, was found dead in a home in northern Woodbury after firefighters searched for a missing person reported as still inside.
Woodbury Fire and EMS put out a statement on the Thursday house fire.
"On Thursday, May 1, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Woodbury Public Safety was called to the 9000 block of Pinehurst Road for the report of an active house fire. Upon arrival, responders observed the house entirely engulfed in flames. The homeowners reported one person was possibly still inside the home. Woodbury firefighters began actively fighting the fire while searching for the missing person.
Tragically, the missing female, in her 60s, was located deceased inside the home. Woodbury Public Safety remains on scene actively investigating the cause of the fire. Lakeview ambulance, and the Lake Elmo Cottage Grove, Oakdale, Newport, Saint Paul Park, and Maplewood Fire Departments assisted in responding."
Sobule's passing was confirmed by Team Jill on her personal website, jillsobule.com.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share that Jill Sobule, the groundbreaking, award winning, singer-songwriter and human rights activist, who made history with her 1995 single 'I Kissed a Girl' as the first openly gay-themed song ever to crack the Billboard Top 20 - died in a house fire early on May 1, 2025. Jill was 66. She loved her fans and we thank you for loving her as much as we did."
Rising to fame in the mid-1990s, Sobule was known for hit singles "I Kissed a Girl" and "Supermodel," the latter of which appeared in the movie Clueless. Her 1990 debut album, "Things Here Are Different," brought attention to themes including LGBT experience, reproductive issues, teen mental health, anorexia, and more. Sobule released 10 albums over her career, including several live records. She was remembered as a pioneer of crowdfunding and using the power of internet and social media to finance albums including "California Years" and "Nostalgia Kills." Her passing brought tribute from several artists, including Marshall Crenshaw.
"I feel like my world is shrinking - I've lost other friends recently, but this is shocking," he said. "Jill was brilliant."
Chris Difford, a founding member of the Squeeze, also paid tribute.
"She entered the room with the biggest smile and in every group she wrote with she lit everyone with inspiration," he said. "I wish I had the chance to write more with Jill, we did once talk about a tour together in America but sadly it never happened. Her charm and wisdom filled the house each day and the songs written were perfect."
Songwriter Amy Rigby paid tribute to Sobule on X.
"It's almost too sad to come on here now cause it's where I kept up with Jill Sobule," she said. "I will miss her so much, so talented and funny, always out there doing her art."
Born in Denver on Jan. 16, 1959, Sobule performed with names including Neil Young, Billy Bragg, Steve Earle, Cyndi Lauper, Tom Morello, Warren Zevon, and John Doe, even inducting Diamond into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.
In addition, Sobule shared billing with Don Henley, Joe Jackson, Warren Zevon, and LA punk band X, as well as Lloyd Cole & The Negatives. With many more credits and accomplishments to her name, Sobule was scheduled to play at Denver on Friday. The venue she was to play at, Swallow Hill Music, held a free and informal memorial gathering from 7:30-9 p.m. at Tuft Theatre, in Jill's honor.