Madonna, Mellencamp leads class into rock hall of fame

Baltimoresun.com

Madonna, pop music's quick-change artist, joins the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday with a class that includes heartland hitmaker John Mellencamp, literate songwriter Leonard Cohen and Philly soul legends Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

British rockers the Dave Clark Five, surf rockers The Ventures and blues harmonica ace Little Walter were also being inducted.

The annual ceremony, at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel, was scheduled to be televised live on VH1 Classic.

Michigan native Madonna Louise Ciccone transplanted to New York and became not only the queen of pop music during the 1980s and 1990s, but a cultural icon. "Like a Virgin," ''Papa Don't Preach," ''Cherish," ''Like a Prayer, "Vogue" and "Ray of Light" are among her many hits.

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