Ibarra started his music career in the pop band Timbiriche (1981), and began working as a solo artist in 1992.

In 2017, Benny joined the original founding members of Timbiriche (current line up includes original members Sasha Sokol, Benny Ibarra, Alix Bauer, Erik Rubin, Mariana Garza and Diego Schoening) to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the group.

Ibarra left Timbiriche in 1986, and from 1985 to 1989 he studied jazz, guitar, classical music, and composition at the Walnut Hill School in Boston.

In 1998, Timbiriche reunited to tour Mexico and Central America, and in 1999 released a live album El Concierto.

Ibarra recorded the album Mar Adentro en la Sangre with Guadalajara-based progressive rock band Santa Sabina the same year.