So my first reaction to the news that the Beastie Boys, the enfants terrible of my youth, are among the nine nominees for next spring’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, was "Geez, am I that old?"

The answer to that, sadly, is, yes you are, Granny. But the bards of Brooklyn aren’t the only ones in the running. We’ve got Afrika Bambaata, Chic, Leonard Cohen, The Dave Clark Five, Madonna, John Mellencamp and Donna Summer. Only five get in. Here’s what I think:

Afrika Bambaata: Absolutely, absolutely influential to hip-hop, rap, and the fusion of those sounds with other genres (see: "World Destruction," his song with Sex Pistol John "Johnny Rotten" Lydon in 1984. Chances of getting in: Very good, considering that hip-hop’s just now getting some love from the Hall.

Chic: Nominated last year. Still highly influential. Chances of getting in: Still not getting in.

Leonard Cohen: Beloved folk icon. Covered by everyone, including that Jeff Buckley cover of "Hallelujah"; that makes everybody cry. Chances of getting in: Oh, absolutely.

Dave Clark Five: They’ve been eligible for, like, a million years at this point. And at this point...Chances of getting in: Not their year. Again.

Madonna: You may have heard of her. Chances of getting in: Whatever you think of her and her accents, she's managed to stay relevant for 20-something years. Chances of getting in: Highly a sure thing.

John Mellencamp: I am thrilled. Thrilled, I tell you, that Mr. Indiana Common Man is finally being acknowledged by an industry who has gone out their way to think him a second-class Springsteen. "Scarecrow" remains one of the most powerful, political albums to spawn a zillion pop hits ever. Chances of getting in: Huge.

Donna Summer: Without her, there is no Beyonce. There is no Rihanna. There is no Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston or big voiced operatic disco/dance/love song cross over between the gospel, dance and rock tradition. She is legend. Chances of getting in: Oh, she better.

The Ventures: So crucial to the surf rock culture and to rock instrumentals and guitar work. Chances of getting in: I don’t think so this year. If only there were six spots! So that's all well and good, but there are, sadly, still some people missing from this list that make me mad. So here's "Leslie's List of Egregious Rock Hall Snubs!" Carole King: So she and ex-husband Gerry Goffin are in because of their writing, but as a singer, King is sorely missing. The Hall still has not acknowledged her influence in the singer/songwriter genre, and how without her, there’s no Lilith Fair. Seriously. If "Tapestry" was never recorded, Sarah McLachlan would have become a yodeler. I truly believe this/

2. Neil Diamond: Come on, people. Really. And don’t tell me his stuff wasn’t rock. "Cherry Cherry?" Fuggedaboutit! Where is he?

3. Duran Duran: I could be wrong, and I don’t think I am, but they were at least as influential as Madonna, in terms of their writing and themes and videos.

4. Run-DMC: Once again, what’s wrong with you people? They need to be in there, alongside Grandmaster Flash. To acknowledge the Beasties and not Run-DMC, who influenced them, is ridiculous.

5. Pat Benatar: You know she oughta be.