Roberts was born in London, England, on April 15, 1953. He began his musical career as a session musician, playing with various artists including Elton John, Kiki Dee, and David Essex. In 1977, he joined Rod Stewart's band, replacing Ronnie Wood.
Roberts played a key role in Rod Stewart's sound during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He co-wrote several of Stewart's hits, including "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Young Turks". He also played on Stewart's albums "Blondes Have More Fun", "Footloose & Fancy Free", and "Tonight I'm Yours".
In 1986, Roberts left Rod Stewart's band to pursue a solo career. He released two albums, "Jimmy Roberts" (1987) and "Rude Awakening" (1989). However, his solo career was not as successful as he had hoped, and he eventually returned to playing with Rod Stewart in 1990.
Roberts has continued to play with Rod Stewart on tour and in the studio. He has also appeared on several of Stewart's solo albums, including "Vagabond Heart" (1991), "A Spanner in the Works" (1995), and "When We Were the New Boys" (2018).
In addition to his work with Rod Stewart, Roberts has also played with other artists including Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, and Steve Winwood. He is a respected session musician, and has appeared on numerous recordings.
Jimmy Roberts is a talented musician who has made a significant contribution to the world of rock music. He is best known for his work with Rod Stewart, but he has also had a successful solo career and has played with many other artists.