There were only two Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees this year from the list of newly eligible artists, Madonna and the Beastie Boys. The remaining seven artists have been eligible for at least two years, but more importantly, all seven had been previously considered by the Nominating Committee. This shortlist of artists provides deep insight into who the Nominating Committee takes seriously as Rock Hall candidates. If an artist is eligible, but isn't on this list... well, their chances for induction are slim, because it doesn't seem like the Nominating Committee likes to reconsider previous year's rejects. So let's take a look from recent years who the Committee thinks has a shot, and who doesn't.

• From the 2006 class, Depeche Mode, Eurythmics, and the Replacements made the cut, which means that Hüsker Dü, Duran Duran, New Order, Mötley Crüe, Ministry, Minor Threat, and many others will probably forever be left out.
• From 2005, just hip hop pioneers Afrika Bambaataa and Treacherous Three made the list. So no Ozzy, INXS, Go-Go's, or Joan Jett, among others.
• The 2004 shortlist includes Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, the B-52's, Simple Minds, and Sugarhill Gang. That ignores Lucinda Williams, Pat Benatar, and of course, "Weird Al" Yankovic.
• Just three names from 2003 are listed, The Cure, Devo, and The Cars. Big names from 2003 that weren't considered: Joy Division, Dire Straits, and Kate Bush.

It's unclear who the Nominating Committee discussed from the 2007 class other than Madonna, Beastie Boys, and Metallica (who were rejected this year). Was Sting discussed? How about Sonic Youth? Was Janet Jackson's name on any member's shortlist? Or the Violent Femmes? We don't know yet, but we now understand how important it is to make it past the first cut.