U2 and Pretenders: 2005 Hall Of Famers

It has been exactly 25 years since U2 released its debut album, which means they are finally eligible to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was just announced that the band will join the talented Hall of Famers as part of the 2005 class. The announcement comes just weeks after their latest album, "How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb," topped charts.

The 20th anniversary of the Hall will also include: Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders, R&B 60's icons the O'Jays, Percy Sledge, and blues man Buddy Guy.

Many critics believe the Hall of Fame just is not ready for what Filter calls "the new generation of popular music" to make its way into the realm of the honored. According to Filter, controversial British artists like the Sex Pistols, punk godmother Patti Smith, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, and pioneer rappers Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five somehow never garnered the coveted nod.

Ceremonies for the 2005 Hall of Fame class will take place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York on March 14th.