Singer Jenny Lewis, celebrated for her work with Rilo Kiley and as a solo artist, marked her 50th birthday with an unconventional celebration: she married her dog.
The ceremony, featuring her beloved cockapoo Bobby Rhubarb, wasn’t a legal binding, but a captivating blend of performance art, a joyous party, and a deeply personal ritual. Lewis embraced the occasion fully, appearing in a traditional white wedding gown.
She later described the event with her signature dry humor, simply stating, “I married my dog for my 50th birthday… BLESS!” The moment resonated with a playful sincerity that has long defined her artistic approach.
Bobby Rhubarb isn’t just a pet; he’s already woven into the fabric of Lewis’s creative world. He served as the inspiration for her 2021 song, “Puppy and a Truck,” a tender and heartfelt tribute.
The wedding doubled as an intimate concert, showcasing Lewis’s musical talents alongside close collaborators. She performed “Such Great Heights” with Ben Gibbard, a track from their acclaimed project, The Postal Service.
The musical guests continued with a performance of Phantom Planet’s “California” alongside Alex Greenwald, and contributions from Morgan Nagler and Farmer Dave Scher, creating a uniquely personal atmosphere.
This playful spectacle feels entirely consistent with Lewis’s career-long refusal to compartmentalize genuine emotion and ironic detachment. She’s consistently blurred those lines in her work.
Lewis first gained prominence in the late 1990s as the frontwoman of Rilo Kiley, a band that helped shape a generation of indie rock. Their music was known for its emotional honesty and sharp, witty lyrics.
Rilo Kiley’s songs, often exploring the complexities of young women navigating desire, disappointment, and self-discovery, cultivated a devoted fanbase before the band went on hiatus in 2011.
Since then, Lewis has flourished as a solo artist, releasing critically acclaimed albums that draw from the rich traditions of Laurel Canyon pop, country melancholy, and deeply personal storytelling.
For an artist who consistently challenges conventional notions of romance and fulfillment, marrying her dog feels less like a shock and more like a natural extension of her artistic vision.
It’s a bold, unconventional act that perfectly encapsulates her unique ability to find beauty and meaning in unexpected places, and to celebrate life on her own terms.
