The ISMMS board was incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Esther Clinton, one of the key figures in the development of Metal Studies and a renowned scholar and presenter. Our thoughts are with her friends and family, and especially her devoted husband Jeremy Wallach. Most of us had the pleasure of meeting Esther at conferences or reading her publications, and we’d like to share these remembrances from ISMMS Chair Bryan Bardine and Events Office Nelson Varas-Díaz.
From Bryan:
I am lucky enough to have known Esther Clinton since my first experience with Metal Studies—the Bowling Green Conference in 2013, when ISMMS was founded. The BG Conference was the first Metal Studies conference that I went to—and I was nervous because I was just getting started in Metal Studies research and really knew very few people in the field. As soon as I arrived at the conference I was welcomed, and Esther was one of the people who made the experience an exciting one for me. She was incredibly welcoming, she showed me around the conference site, we, along with some other metal scholars, had lunch and I immediately felt at home and part of “the group.” Her personality was always upbeat, she had an amazing smile, and it was clear that she was as dedicated to the organization as she was to her research and teaching.
Esther and I edited the edition of Metal Music Studies which examined the Metal and Cultural Impact Conference that my university—the University of Dayton, hosted. Her work as an editor and co-author of the Editorial at the beginning of the edition was invaluable. She had a focused writer’s eye and her revision suggestions continually strengthened the editorial.
I will always miss Esther’s positive attitude, her smile, and her way of making people feel welcomed no matter the situation. RIP my friend.
From Nelson:
I first met Esther at the Bowling Green Conference. There the International Society for Metal Music Studies would meet for the first time as an established organization. I remember her warmth and welcoming spirit. She made sure all people in attendance felt like part of a larger, yet emerging, academic family. And it worked! I have had the privilege of working with her in publications, presenting our ideas in academic conferences, and, more importantly, to simply be her friend. Esther was a brilliant scholar and working with her will be one of the highlights of my academic career. I will miss her laugh, words of encouragement, ability to speak truth to power, and solidarity with the oppressed peoples of the world. The world needs more people like Esther.
Read Esther’s full obituary here, and donations may be made in Esther’s memory to The Cocoon, P.O. Box 1165, Bowling Green, OH 43402 a 501(c)3 organization providing shelter and services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.