• Jill Sobule, known for her hit song 'I Kissed A Girl,' has died in a house fire.
• She was 66 years old and was a significant figure in LGBTQ+ music and culture.
• A gathering to honor her memory will take place in Denver, her hometown.
• Sobule was recognized for her candid lyrics and advocacy throughout her career.
• Her music left a lasting impact on both her fans and fellow artists.

Jill Sobule, the acclaimed singer-songwriter famous for her provocative hit “I Kissed A Girl,” died on Thursday morning in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, at the age of 66. Her publicist, David Elkin, confirmed her passing, noting that firefighters found her body inside a home engulfed in flames. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, according to the Public Safety Department in Woodbury, which reported that responders arrived at the scene early in the morning to find the house ablaze, with indications that someone may still have been inside, reports HuffPost, The New York Times, and NPR.

Sobule was in Minnesota visiting friends and was set to perform songs from her autobiographical musical “F*ck 7th Grade” at the Swallow Hill Music venue in Denver, her hometown. Instead, fans and friends will gather informally to remember her in a tribute event due to this tragic incident. Her manager, John Porter, expressed the profound loss stating, “Jill Sobule was a force of nature whose music is woven into our culture,” highlighting her significant impact on both music and social issues, according to HuffPost, The New York Times, and NPR.

Throughout her three-decade career, Sobule was an outspoken advocate for various social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights. Her landmark song “I Kissed A Girl” was a bold statement during its release in 1995 and marked a new chapter in pop music that embraced queer narratives. It is a reflection of her artistic journey, and she often described being labeled as a "one-hit wonder," asserting, “Wait a second, I’m a two-hit wonder!” This self-awareness and humor resonated deeply with her audience and showcased her dedication to redefining what it means to be an artist, as stated by HuffPost, The New York Times, and NPR.