Songwriter Jill Sobule died May 1 in a house fire in Minnesota. She was set to play in her hometown, Denver, the following night. We at WYEP, and all her friends and fans were shocked to receive the news of her untimely death at 66 years old.
I met Jill Sobule in 1997 when she came to WYEP for a Live & Direct Session. I liked her immediately. She was charming, funny as hell, and smart. She also revealed a vulnerability in her songs that softened her acerbic edge.
I discovered her music with the release of her first album, "Things Here Are Different." This was several years before she had commercial success with her singles "I Kissed a Girl," and "Super Model." Jill became a champion for WYEP, playing our Summer Music Festival, and performing a concert to raise money during WYEP's capital campaign to build the Community Broadcast Center.
Jill loved Pittsburgh and played here often. She was a regular at Pittsburgh Guitars, at Club Cafe, and at many a house concert. She produced a musical with City Theatre in Pittsburgh, employing area musicians including WYEP's Erin Dawes. It's hard to believe that she is no longer a part of our lives, but maybe that isn't true. Her music will remind us of her wit, intelligence, empathy, and her incredible ability to entertain.
I had the chance to talk with Jill about her City Theatre collaboration, "F 7th Grade." For those of you who knew her, who attended her concerts, it's a loving way to celebrate her. For those of you who didn't get the chance to know her or her work, this is a beginning. Please explore her music. She was one of the hardest working musicians I've known, and a truly kind soul. I will miss her.
