While The Dave Clark Five and Mellencamp had been nominated before, this was the first year Madonna was eligible. Iggy & The Stooges performed rock versions of her pop hits "Burning Up" and "Ray of Light" after her induction.

Cohen, a gravel-voiced Canadian whose songs tell of love and sex, faith and betrayal, is among the most literary of songwriters. He published four books of poetry and two novels before trying music, partly to escape being a starving artist.

Canadian singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen speaks after being inducted during the 23rd annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York March 10, 2008.

"This is a very unlikely occasion for me. It is not a distinction that I coveted or even dared dream about," he said before reciting the lyrics to "Tower of Song" from his 1988 album "I'm Your Man." He was inducted by Lou Reed. BITTERSWEET

The five artists inducted were chosen by 600 music industry professionals, and beat out disco queen Donna Summer, New York-based funk group Chic, rap pioneer Afrika Bambaataa and hip-hop group The Beastie Boys for the 23rd annual induction.

For 1960s British band The Dave Clark Five -- Dave Clark, Lenny Davidson, Rick Huxley, Denis Payton and Mike Smith -- the induction is bittersweet. Lead singer Smith died last month from pneumonia and Payton died from cancer in 2006.

"It would have been lovely if it had been all five of us here," Clark told reporters backstage before the band were inducted by actor Tom Hanks. "I know they will be smiling down on us and they will be very proud."

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