Born to Irish parents in London, Hughes, inspired by the glam rock sensibilities of his hero Ziggy Stardust, and the bass playing of Free's Andy Fraser, began his career in music at the birth of punk rock with power pop group the Banned, enjoying immediate success as their first single "Little Girl" broke into the UK top 30.

After the Banned dissolved, Hughes joined Cowboys International, forming a rhythm section with drummer Terry Chimes, formerly of the Clash, together playing on the album The Original Sin in 1979, and the subsequent tours, television and radio appearances of the band.

In 1980, having turned down audition requests from Woody Woodmansey, Alex Chilton's Big Star, and Marco Pirroni of Adam and the Ants, he joined Ian Broudie's band Original Mirrors, playing on an album and two singles including "Dancing with the Rebels".

Hughes' subsequent work includes taking part in the first rock tour of the Middle East with the theatre rock band Famous Names; guesting on tracks for Paul Simonon's brother Nick Simonon's rockabilly band Whirlwind; Alan Wilder's solo album Hydrology Parts 1 and 2; as writer and performer on Paradise Now for the Norwegian rock band Oceans Apart; television appearances with La Toya Jackson; and playing with a diverse range of musicians including Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, members of Cameo, Black, Greg Phillinganes, and Omar Hakim.

Jimmy Hughes toured the UK with the Bee Gees' musical and West End hit,You Win Again throughout 2017 before becoming bass player and MD to Serbian band, The Gift, based in Belgrade.