No surprise, R.E.M. was a first-ballot inductee to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. The list of 2007 inductees, announced this morning, also includes Patti Smith, Van Halen, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and the Ronettes. I was four for five when I predicted this year's class a couple of months ago, figuring the Stooges stood a better chance than Van Halen of making it.

The artists will be inducted during the March 12 ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. That should be an interesting event, particularly when it comes to the performance part. Yet another chance for Bill Berry to perform with his old band, and it's safe to bet they'll play with Patti Smith, too. One wild guess: Michael Stipe will induct Smith.

Labels: music, R.E.M.