The Roll and Roll Hall of Fame today announced the finalists for this years HOF nominees, with nine of music's finest vying for five imaginary tiaras and five very real invitations into the hallowed pantheon next year.

Madonna, the Beastie Boys, Leonard Cohen, Donna Summer, Afrika Bambaataa, John Mellencamp, Chic, the Dave Clark Five, and the Ventures all lead the Class of 2008. In order to be eligible for induction, an act must have released its first single at least 25 years ago.

From these nine, the lucky five will be chosen by what the Rock Hall site calls an "international voting body of more than 500 rock experts," and immortalized at a March 10, 2008 ceremony at New York City's Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

God it's hard to believe the Beastie Boys have been around long enough to make this, but they have, and good for them. I guess it's cause I never heard them till the 90s. How does it work though...if they are nominated but don't get in this time, are they eligible for nomination again?

I'm not really for certain but I would believe you still would be.

Yea having the beastie boys in the running is a little weird ... but you've got to remember they've been around since the late 70's/ early 80's. I believe they started as a punk band in 79!

You are correct. They had an early punk influence when they were first writing music and then somehow they took the turn that they did. But it is really hard to see the beastie boys in this running because they are a popular item in the modern music industry and people just kind of consider them another one of the bunch of bands that hit the popular music explosion in the late 80's, 90's and current. But alas, they have been around for some time!

Respect to Madonna and her music career, but regardless, I don't want her to win. Dear God no.

Anyone listen to the latest Beastie Boys instrumental album? And if so, would you care to post your thoughts of it in the album review thread? That would be splendid. I'd like to know what some of you think about it in comparison to the rest of their discography.

No I haven't listened to it yet. I'll see what I can dig up though

The Beastie Boys rock. I choreagraphed a solo dance to one of their songs, when I was back in High school. I created a beautiful expressional dance to one of their songs. The song was called 'instant death'. I hadn't realised the title would be so fitting at the time, I purely just listened to the song one day in Dance class as someone was playing the Beastie Boys albums, and as I heard it I knew that was the song that would go great with my dance. The dance wasn't of a contemporary nature, it was more of a soulful ballet piece depicting a story of re-encarnation. I wish I kept the video, as it was really fantastic. It left a couple of people crying, as it was pretty emotional.

I'd definetly like to listen to the latest Beastie Boys instrumental Album, as it definetly sounds worthy of a listen. How long ago did they release this album risingcrisis?

I had the chance to listen to the instrumental album the other day in my friends car for the first time. I'm not sure of the exact release, but it was this year (I believe just over the summer).

IMO, it's worth a listen, but it certainly felt like it was missing something.....ehem...like, words . Like I said, it's not bad, but I have a difficult time doing a repeat listen on music without lyrics. I think I might just get it and make up my own. I must have something to sing along to!

Sounds like a winner, you have sold it for me.

I prefer music without words, so this will be an interesting listen.

@Jello: That's why it says instrumental album. Ha. =]

@Truelyana: It is a 2007 release.

Otherwise, i really want to hear the beastie boys in instrumental fashion. I think it could be a solid sell. And i finished the download so let's see what's up...

Post what you think in the review section