Madonna joins the US Hall of Fame

Madonna will be inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later.

John Mellencamp, The Ventures, Leonard Cohen and The Dave Clark Five, will also be honoured at the 23rd annual induction ceremony in New York.

The nominees are chosen by a committee and are whittled down to a final list of five by more than 600 music experts.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame president Joel Peresman said: "From poetry to pop, these five acts demonstrate the rich diversity of rock and roll."

He added: "The 2008 inductees are trailblazers - all unique and influential in their genres."

Acts only become eligible to be considered for the honour 25 years after their first recording.

Madonna will be inducted by pop star Justin Timberlake and Iggy & The Stooges will perform on her behalf.

Via bbc.co.uk