R.E.M., the Stooges, Patti Smith among Rock Hall of Fame ballot

R.E.M., the Stooges and Patti Smith are among the nine acts on the ballot for the 2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, to be held March 12 at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Also on the ballot are Van Halen, Dave Clark Five, Chic, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Joe Tex and the Ronettes.

Five of those nine will be chosen for the final list of inductees. The announcement will be made in January. To be eligible for, the nominee had to release their first single no later than 1981.