Madonna, Mellencamp head for Hall of Fame

NEW YORK, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Madonna, Leonard Cohen, John Mellencamp, The Ventures and The Dave Clark Five were chosen to be inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

They are slated to be officially inducted on March 10 at New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel, NME.com reported Thursday.

The Beastie Boys and Donna Summer were also shortlisted for the 2008 honor, but were not selected.

The Hall of Fame recognizes performers, producers, song-writers, disc jockeys and others "who have made rock and roll the force that it is in our culture," the Hall of Fame's Web site said.

The 2007 inductees were Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, R.E.M., The Ronettes, Patti Smith and Van Halen.