For the third time in five years, John Mellencamp is a nominee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The 2008 class of inductees will include five of the nine artists announced today as official contenders: Mellencamp, Madonna, the Beastie Boys, Chic, the Dave Clark Five, Donna Summer, Leonard Cohen, the Ventures and Afrika Bambaataa.

Hoosier rocker Mellencamp -- whose 1980s hits ranged from -Jack & Diane- and -Pink Houses- to -Small Town- and -Paper in Fire- -- was a nominee for the 2004 and 2006 classes of rock hall inductees, but he failed to collect enough votes among musicians, industry professionals and journalists.

According to spokesman Bob Merlis, Mellencamp declined to comment on his current nomination. The singer will perform Nov. 3 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Artists are eligible to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after their debut recording. This year's nominees had to release their first single no later than 1982.

The five inductees will be announced in January. The induction ceremony is scheduled March 10 in New York City.