Eriksen was born in
Bergen and picked up the guitar at twelve, and started the band "Lorraine" in 1976 together with schoolmates (including keyboardist Hans-Petter Isaksen & bassist Roar Nilson) from
Nattland primary school. Eriksen has embarked on a solo recording career together with producer and bassist
Frank Hovland. In 1989 he debuted as a solo artist with the album
Journey, and has released a total of eight solo albums since then. Among other releases is the album
Rediscovery which was released together with previous
Manfred Mann's Earth Band guitarist and vocalist
Chris Thompson. Eriksen has been working full-time as a guitarist and guitar teacher since 1988. In addition to many private students, he has taught in the municipal musical schools in
Bergen Municipality and
Sund Municipality. From 1989 he held a permanent position as part-time teacher of electric guitar at
Voss Folk High School until 2001. Since 1994 he has been frequently used as teacher at the Bergen College of Education, Åsane Folk High School, Voss high school and Kongshaug music college. Mads Eriksen is the father of
Major Parkinson guitarist Øystein Bech-Eriksen. ==Honors==