REM - HALL OF FAME HOPEFULS NAMED

REM, PATTI SMITH and VAN HALEN are among the nine acts on the ballot for the 2007 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction. The trio is joined by the newly-reformed THE STOOGES, DAVE CLARK FIVE, CHIC, THE RONETTES, JOE TEX and rap pioneers GRANDMASTER FLASH + THE FURIOUS FIVE. The official list of inductees will be announced in January (07). The induction ceremony for the Cleveland, Ohio landmark will be held in New York in March (07). This year's induction ceremony was a controversial affair - former members of BLONDIE took the stage and begged to perform with the new-look band, while punk icons the SEX PISTOLS boycotted the event when they learned they'd have to pay for the privilege of attending. The savage letter frontman JOHN LYDON wrote to the Hall Of Fame bosses, comparing the rock 'n' roll mecca to "urine in wine", currently concludes a tribute film to all inductees at the venue.