Emi Canyn was an American singer and songwriter whose powerful voice carried her through the hard rock and heavy metal scene of the 1980s. Born Emi Jo Schmidt in Tacoma, Washington, she sang for bands such as Canon, She Roc, and Alice N Thunderland, and she is best known for her work as a background vocalist for Mötley Crüe — appearing on their multi-platinum album Dr. Feelgood and touring with them during the Girls, Girls, Girls era. Her marriage to Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars made her a familiar name to rock fans worldwide. She passed away on February 25, 2017, at the age of 62.
Table of Contents
- Who Is Emi Canyn?
- Age and Early Life
- Career
- Husband and Relationship
- Family
- Net Worth
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Emi Canyn?
Emi Canyn was an American rock vocalist and songwriter active in the Los Angeles hard rock and heavy metal scene during the 1980s and early 1990s. Born Emi Jo Schmidt on December 5, 1954, she performed under the stage name Emi Canyn throughout her career. She built her reputation first as a lead vocalist for club-level rock bands and later as a sought-after background singer, most notably with Mötley Crüe. Outside of music, she became widely known as the second wife of Mötley Crüe’s guitarist Mick Mars, to whom she was married from 1990 to 1994.
Age and Early Life
Emi Canyn was born on December 5, 1954, in Tacoma, Washington, where she was raised alongside seven siblings in a devoutly religious family. Her parents were Floyd and Eleanor Schmidt. Growing up, she sang in church choirs, an early influence that helped shape her powerful voice and stage presence. She attended Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma and graduated in 1973. After finishing school, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time career in music. Emi Canyn died on February 25, 2017, in Washington State at the age of 62. The cause of her death was never publicly disclosed.
Career
Emi Canyn began her career singing in local bands around Los Angeles and working as a session vocalist. She was the lead vocalist for several hard rock outfits, including Canon, She Roc, and Alice N Thunderland, where her commanding stage presence and vocal range earned her recognition on the club circuit.
Her big break came when she was invited to tour as a background vocalist with Mötley Crüe, performing with the band during their Girls, Girls, Girls tour era. Her vocals were also featured on the band’s blockbuster 1989 album Dr. Feelgood — one of the best-selling heavy metal albums of its era, which topped the Billboard 200 chart. Working with one of rock’s biggest acts at the height of their fame cemented her place in the history of the late-1980s Los Angeles rock scene.
Husband and Relationship
Emi Canyn met Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars (born Robert Alan Deal) while working with the band in the late 1980s. The two married in 1990, during a period when Mötley Crüe was at the peak of its commercial success. Both were intensely private people and kept much of their relationship out of the spotlight. The marriage lasted four years, ending in divorce in 1994. Emi Canyn had no children; reports indicate that Mick Mars had children from his previous marriage. After the divorce, she largely stayed out of public view.
Family
Emi Canyn was born to Floyd Schmidt and Eleanor Schmidt and grew up with seven siblings in Tacoma, Washington. Her family was deeply religious — she was raised as a Christian and was an active participant in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was married to Mick Mars from 1990 to 1994 and had no children of her own.
Net Worth
Emi Canyn’s net worth was never officially disclosed, and she left the public eye long before her death, so no reliable figure exists. A handful of online estimates have suggested her net worth was around $1 million at the time of her passing, but this figure is unverified and should be treated as an estimate only. Her earnings came primarily from her years as a vocalist and session singer in the rock music industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Emi Canyn?
Emi Canyn was an American rock singer and songwriter, born Emi Jo Schmidt, best known as a background vocalist for Mötley Crüe and as the former wife of the band’s guitarist Mick Mars.
How old was Emi Canyn when she died?
Emi Canyn was 62 years old at the time of her death. She was born on December 5, 1954, and died on February 25, 2017.
Was Emi Canyn married to Mick Mars?
Yes. Emi Canyn married Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars in 1990. The couple divorced in 1994 after four years of marriage.
Did Emi Canyn have any children?
No. Emi Canyn had no children of her own.
What bands did Emi Canyn sing with?
Emi Canyn was the lead vocalist for the rock bands Canon, She Roc, and Alice N Thunderland. She also worked as a background vocalist for Mötley Crüe, touring with them during the Girls, Girls, Girls era and contributing vocals to their 1989 multi-platinum album Dr. Feelgood.
What was Emi Canyn’s cause of death?
The cause of Emi Canyn’s death was never publicly disclosed. She passed away on February 25, 2017, in Washington State.
What was Emi Canyn’s net worth?
There is no verified figure for Emi Canyn’s net worth. Unverified online estimates have suggested around $1 million at the time of her death in 2017, but this should be treated as an estimate only.
Sources: Mötley Crüe on Wikipedia; Mick Mars on Wikipedia; Dr. Feelgood on Wikipedia.
