No surprise, R.E.M. was a first-ballot inductee to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. The list of 2007 inductees, announced this morning, also includes Patti Smith, Van Halen, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and the Ronettes. I was four for five when I predicted this year’s class a couple of months ago, figuring the Stooges stood a better chance than Van Halen of making it.

The artists will be inducted during the March 12 ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. That should be an interesting event, particularly when it comes to the performance part. Yet another chance for Bill Berry to perform with his old band, and it’s safe to bet they’ll play with Patti Smith, too. One wild guess: Michael Stipe will induct Smith.

R.E.M. would seem to be a lock for induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame early next year. The band, which is eligible now that 25 years have passed (!) since its first release (1982′s Chronic Town EP), ought to sail into the hall with little difficulty. Oddly, Patti Smith, a hero and mentor to R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, is on this year’s ballot. Without bothering to look it up (I’m on vacation this week), I seem to recall that she had been passed over before. It would make for an interesting induction to have these two acts go in this year. And, one assumes, that it will offer yet another chance for the retired Bill Berry to step behind the kit.

Also on the ballot are Van Halen, the Stooges, the Dave Clark Five, Chic, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Joe Tex and the Ronettes. Hard to pick, though I’d guess Grandmaster Flash, the Ronettes and the Stooges will join R.E.M. and Smith in this year’s class.

The selections will be announced in January and the ceremony will be held March 12 in New York.