Pitchfork

The ballots for the 2009 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum have been sent out to the more than 500 voters, who now have the daunting task of determining the very annals of rock history itself, or something.

Up for nomination this time out are the Stooges, Metallica, Run-D.M.C., War, Wanda Jackson, Bobby Womack, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Chic, and Jeff Beck.

Five of these nine will make it in next year, and the announcement will come down in January, giving VH1 plenty of time to whip up some promos for their endless rebroadcasts of the April 4 induction ceremony at Cleveland's Public Hall. For the first time ever, the big to-do is open to the public, so if you've ever wondered whether Eddie Vedder's introduction speeches are that rambling in person, you had better get your ass to the Forest City.