KIM MITCHELL formed the band Max Webster with fellow Sarnia native Pye Dubois. Max Webster toured extensively and built a string of hits. Mitchell's solo career began after his departure from Max Webster, with session work and a succession of solo albums.

In early 1985, the song "Go For Soda" from the Akimbo Alogo album became an international hit and remains his best known song outside of his native Canada. The song was also featured in the opening scene of the 1985 Miami Vice episode Buddies. More recently, the song was featured in the shows American Dad and Trailer Park Boys. His most successful Canadian album was the follow-up, 1986's Shakin' Like a Human Being, featuring the hits "Alana Loves Me", "Easy to Tame", and the biggest hit of his career, "Patio Lanterns".

In 1992, Mitchell played guitar on the track Brave and Crazy from Tom Cochrane's album Mad Mad World. In that same year he also made a cameo appearance (as himself) on the third season finale of the popular Canadian sketch program The Kids in the Hall.

In 2004, Mitchell entered the radio broadcasting industry, becoming afternoon drivetime host on Toronto classic rock radio station Q107 (CILQ-FM). He also opened for Def Leppard at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto on , 2007. His eighth studio album, entitled "Ain't Life Amazing" was released on July 17, 2007.

In 2006, Mitchell provided a guitar solo on the song "Wind It Up" from the Barenaked Ladies' album Barenaked Ladies Are Me.  The Kim Mitchell Band is his longtime musical partner of 26 years, Peter Fredette on bass and vocals, Chris Sutherland on drums, and Don Breithaupt on keyboards and vocals.