Renowned singer Jill Sobule died in a house fire. The iconic artist, best known for her 1995 hit “I Kissed a Girl,” which is widely considered the first song with LGBTQ+ themes to reach the Billboard Top 20, passed away at the age of 66.

Sobule, a prominent voice in the music scene for over three decades, released a total of 12 albums. In addition to “I Kissed a Girl,” which was later covered by pop star Katy Perry, her notable tracks include “Supermodel” from the 1990s film “Clueless” and the autobiographical musical “Fuck 7th Grade,” which was nominated for Drama Desk awards and performed in four U.S. theaters over three years.

A “force of nature,” Sobule had been scheduled to perform in her hometown of Denver on Saturday at Swallow Hill Music’s Tuft Theater, with her program titled “Jill Sobule presents: Songs From F*ck 7th Grade & More.” Unfortunately, her tragic death was announced earlier, with reports stating that a house fire claimed her life.

Her manager, John Porter, expressed his grief: “Jill Sobule was a force of nature and an advocate for human rights. Her music is woven into our culture. I enjoyed working with her immensely. Today, I lost a client and a friend. I hope her music, memory, and legacy will continue to live on and inspire others.”

Her lawyer, Kevin Hertz, added: “Jill was more than just a client; she was family. She was there for every birth, every birthday, and every celebration. She sang at our daughter’s wedding, and during the pandemic, she performed via Zoom from our living room while living with us.”

Born in Denver in 1959, Sobule released her debut album, “Things Here Are Different,” in 1990, produced by Tono Ruddgren. She signed with Atlantic Records in 1995 and gained widespread success with her self-titled album. Her music often tackled pressing social issues such as the death penalty, anorexia, and the MAGA movement, and continues to serve as an inspiration.

In 2008, she pioneered the use of crowdfunding to release an album, raising over $75,000 in less than two months from more than 500 supporters, offering everything from free downloads to the chance to sing on the record (for $10,000). She continued to release music independently and worked on theater and TV projects, including the theme for Nickelodeon’s “Unfabulous.”

An official memorial service celebrating her life and work is planned for this summer, according to her spokesperson.