What do Madonna, John Mellencamp and the Beastie Boys have in common? They are among the nine nominees for the 2008 Class of the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, just announced today.

Other nominees include Donna Summer, Chic, Afrika Bambaataa, Leonard Cohen, The Dave Clark Five and The Ventures. Only the top 5 vote-getters are inducted.

Mellencamp and the Beastie Boys are strong choices. But Madonna? Have you ever heard anyone call her a rock star? Puleeeze. Let's hope the rock journalists who vote on the honor come to their senses and leave her off their ballots.

Performers become eligible for the hall 25 years after the release of their first record. So for Mellencamp, go back to 1982 and you'll find "American Fool," definitely the first of many classics. The Beastie Boys had a couple EPs in '82 and '83. Their landmark "Licensed to Ill" album didn't come out 'til 1986, so they seem like they're maybe a year or two early. As for Madonna -- her 1983 effort was her self-titled debut, which included "Borderline," "Holiday," and "Lucky Star." Ready to rock out? I don't think so.

I can think of a half dozen other acts that HAVE to be ahead of Madonna.

• Heart: Ann and Nancy Wilson! "Barracuda" ... "Magic Man" ... Come on! It's criminal they're not in the hall yet.
• Duran Duran: Unlike Madonna, these guys really are Brits AND actually know how to play instruments!
• Styx: I can see it now. Dennis DeYoung rejoins the band for the induction performance.
• Kiss: I want the full makeup treatment, fire-breathing, blood-spitting, drum-solo, "Beth"-singing version of the band.
• And while I'm at it ... Huey Lewis, Rush, the Go-Go's, the B-52s, Billy Idol, REO Speedwagon, Journey. The names just keep on coming to me.

Anybody but Madonna. Really. It would be the equivalent of electing Michael Jackson as president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

[AP photo]