International Women’s Day has a long and fascinating history, with its roots in the international socialist movement and the suffrage crusades of the early years of the 20th century. During the following decades slow but steady progress was made on many fronts, most notably on voting rights and improving ‘equal pay for equal work’.  Much work remains – all around the world.

Along the way, musicians and songwriters have noted the changes – and the need for change – in so many ways, and in so many diverse music genres. I’m marking the day with a dozen feminist anthems from country music to pop, soul and disco in the 2-3pm. hour. That’s followed by a roll-call of the top female recording artists of each decade during the 20th century in the 3-4pm. hour, and I’ll wrap it up with ten outstanding Canadian women.

And in the first hour (1-2pm.) our spotlight on the events and personalities who made news ‘This Week in Zoomer Music‘ – including the first version of Simon & Garfunkel’s first big hit ‘The Sounds of Silence‘, a rarely-heard novelty song about the Beatles that was forced off the charts because of clearance issues, and birthday salutes to Lloyd Price, James Taylor and Liza (‘with a Z’) Minnelli.  Please tune in this Sunday (March 7th) 1 – 4:30.  Cheers.