Madge of Honor

Madonna, John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, The Ventures and The Dave Clark Five will make up the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's new class.

A panel of 600 industry figures selected the inductees, who will be honored at the Hall's annual induction ceremony, set for March 10.

"The 2008 inductees are trailblazers--all unique and influential in their genres," Rock Hall Foundation president and CEO Joel Peresman said in a statement. "From poetry to pop, these five acts demonstrate the rich diversity of rock and roll itself."

Madonna Louise Ciccone emerged from a crowded pack of pop contenders in the early '80 to become one of the first of the new generation of MTV stars with 1984's "Like a Virgin." The singer--like David Bowie before her--has constantly altered her image and performing style ever since, and has consequently managed to stay fresh and interesting to successive generations of pop music fans.

The singer's sometimes controversial career--her 2006 "Confessions" tour featured her on a mirrored cross, wearing a crown of thorns, a move that angered many Christians--has made her the top earning female singer in the world, according to both the Guinness Book of Records and Forbes, with an estimated net worth of more than $325 million.

Indiana native Mellencamp began recording under the stage name Johnny Cougar in the mid-'70s at the urging of his agent. After releasing several albums, Mellencamp hit the top of the charts in 1982 with the singles "Jack and Diane" and "Hurts So Good." The singer gradually reclaimed his real name--calling himself John Cougar Mellencamp while still issuing chart successes like "Pink Houses" and "Small Town"--before ditching "Cougar" altogether.

Cohen went from being a poet in his Canadian homeland to a well-respected figure in the folk world, issuing iconic songs like "Suzanne" and "Dress Rehearsal Rag" in the late '60s, and helping to birth the singer/songwriter movement.

The Ventures helped define a new genre--instrumental surf music--in the '60s with hits like "Walk Don't Run" and "Hawaii Five-O," and The Dave Clark Five became one of the most popular bands this side of The Beatles during the British Invasion of the early '60s, issuing the chart-topping "Glad All Over."

The Rock Hall will also honor Little Walter in its sideman category. The bluesman is credited for helping establish the modern blues harmonica on his recordings with blues legends like Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters.

Producers Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff will be honored in the non-performers category. The team oversaw the Philadelphia International label, which, during the '70s, featured artists such as The O'Jays, Lou Rawls and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, representing a true rival at the time to Berry Gordy and his Motown label. The pair produced dozens of R&B hits, but wasn't honored with a Grammy until they received their first for Simply Red's 1990 cover of the Blue Notes' 1972 hit "If You Don't Know Me By Now."

Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock Hall 25 years after their first single or album.

The inductees will be commemorated inside the Rock Hall Museum--located in Cleveland, OH--with their signatures inscribed in glass. Also, an exhibit of artifacts and a multi-media film presentation honoring this year's inductees will open in March and run for one year.