The nominees for induction into the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced. The nominees are: Afrika Bambaataa, Beastie Boys, Chic, Leonard Cohen, The Dave Clark Five, Madonna, John Mellencamp, Donna Summer, and The Ventures.

Personally, I feel all of these acts are deserving of induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But if I have to choose the three acts that will be inducted, I would have to go with Leonard Cohen, Donna Summer, and Madonna.

Leonard Cohen is a singer-songwriter who achieved his popularity in the late 1960's and early 1970's (although he has released material over the past twenty years). A Leonard Cohen tribute album was released in the mid-1990's, and it included such artists as Don Henley, Bono, Tori Amos, Trisha Yearwood, Peter Gabriel, Aaron Neville, and even Martin Gore from Depeche Mode. This alone shows how much of an influence Leonard has had on the artists and the music scene of the past twenty years, and helps to show why Leonard Cohen should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Donna Summer is one of the leading ladies of the disco era, and has managed to have her career move beyond the disco years, which is something many of her disco contemporaries cannot claim. Donna deserves the induction for her contributions to music from the disco era and beyond.

When many people think of pop music from the 1980's, one of the first artists they will think of is Madonna. From "Like a Virgin" and "Material Girl," to "Papa Don't Preach," to "Like a Prayer," Madonna's music defined the 1980's. Madonna has also been willing to push the envelope over the years, and has been able to consistently redefine herself and her music.

While I would be happy to see any of the nominees inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I think that Leonard Cohen, Donna Summer, and Madonna would be the best choices.

Learn more about this author, Lesley Aeschliman.
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