Although Madonna’s style isn’t exactly Rock and Roll, her induction was a shoo-in as her influence on popular music is beyond question and she deserves the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognition.

The five inductees were announced on Thursday and Madonna along with John Mellencamp, The Ventures, Leonard Cohen and The Dave Clark Five, were the chosen ones for 2008’s annual induction ceremony.

Mellencamp already had leaked the news of his induction, telling an audience last week that he'd been told he was in.

The induction decision was made by a panel of 600 industry insiders who selected the five acts to be inducted during a March 10 ceremony in New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, out of the nine artists nominated earlier this year. In order to be considered for induction, an artist must have issued a first single or album at least 25 years before nomination.

"The 2008 inductees are trailblazers - all unique and influential in their genres," said Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation President and CEO Joel Peresman. "From poetry to pop, these five acts demonstrate the rich diversity of rock and roll itself. We are proud to honor these artists and celebrate their contribution to rock and roll's place in our culture."
 
In addition to being honored at the March ceremony, each inducted artist is commemorated at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland Ohio, which serves as a monument to rock and roll's impact on our culture.

Afrikaa Bambaataa, the Beastie Boys, Chic and Donna Summer failed to make the cut.

Madonna Louise Ciccone signed with Sire Records in 1982 and became one of MTV's first stars two years later with "Like A Virgin." She has constantly changed her image ever since, showing staying power that few '80s stars could muster.