CMT News

John Mellencamp, Madonna, the Ventures, the Dave Clark Five and Leonard Cohen will be the 2008 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, organizers announced Thursday (Dec. 13). Artists are eligible for induction if they have released a debut single or album at least 25 years before they're nominated. Mellencamp and Madonna achieved mainstream success in the '80s while the other three acts emerged in the '60s. The Ventures gained fame with guitar instrumental hits such as "Walk Don't Run." The Dave Clark Five, one of the key bands of the British Invasion era, scored a series of hits including "Glad All Over" and "Bits and Pieces." Cohen, a Canadian poet, singer and songwriter, is best known for songs such as "Suzanne" and "Bird on a Wire." Additionally, harmonica player Little Walter, a legendary Chicago bluesman, will be posthumously inducted in the sideman category, and record producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff will be inducted in the non-performer division. The induction ceremony takes place March 10 in New York.