The 2008 nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are indeed an eclectic lot.
Nominees for next year's inductions are Madonna, Leonard Cohen, Beastie Boys, Dave Clark Five, Afrika Bambaataa, John Mellencamp, The Ventures, Donna Summer and Chic.From that list, five will be whittled down for entry to the Hall.
Madonna and Beastie Boys both qualify for the first time because their debuts came out in 1982. Under Hall of Fame rules, nominees must have released their first music 25 years earlier or longer.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees are pooled suggestions from 500 musicologists and historians. An industry panel of performers, producers, music executives and journalists then shortlist the artists for the induction.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's induction ceremony will take place on March 10, 2008 at the Waldof Astoria Hotel in New York.
