Raised in Chicago, Mark Goldenberg studied at the Music Conservatory at the Chicago College of Performing Arts and the Chicago Musical College. When the band he was in signed a record deal, Goldenberg moved to California. Though the band broke up, he remained in California as a singer-songwriter. In 1976, Goldenberg began playing guitar with Al Stewart. After playing with Wendy Waldman (who had been Stewart’s opening act), Goldenberg started the band the Cretones with bassist Peter Bernstein. Linda Ronstadt covered three of their songs on her Mad Love album, and the band served as Linda Ronstadt’s backup band for a time, and recorded two albums: Thin Red Line and Snap! Snap! Then Goldenberg formed the band Our Town, who recorded one album that was never released. In 1989, he studied guitar with Ted Greene. He also studied classic guitar with Richard Pick and piano and counterpoint with Abe Fraser.

Goldenberg has played on records for Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Frampton, Eels, Natalie Imbruglia, Chris Isaak, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and William Shatner. Goldenberg played lead guitar in Jackson Browne’s band from 1994 until 2010. In 2015, Goldenberg finished a two year tour with Hugh Laurie and his Copper Bottom Band. Goldenberg released his self-titled solo album of fingerstyle guitar music in 2005. Goldenberg plays in a guitar duo with Eric Skye, with whom he has recorded one album Artifact.