Irish rock band U2 could join a long list of luminaries

Randy Newman, the O'Jays and the Pretenders are also among the 14 artists up for the vote.

An international panel of about 700 music experts choose those who will be inducted. The results will be announced at the end of the year.

Those inducted in 2004 included Prince, ZZ Top, Bob Seger, Jackson Browne and the late George Harrison.

Artists are only eligible to be inducted into the Hall of Fame after at least 25 years have passed since their first record was released.

British version

The Rock Hall of Fame, based in Cleveland, Ohio, has existed since 1983, and has honoured artists including The Beach Boys, Neil Young, The Clash and Elvis Presley.

A UK Music Hall of Fame was launched last week.

The Beatles were the only British act among the founding inductees, alongside Elvis Presley, Madonna, U2 and Bob Marley.

The artists were chosen by a panel including Sir George Martin, Trevor Nelson and Paul Gambaccini.

Five two-hour Channel 4 shows will give viewers the chance to vote for further inductees this autumn.

Each programme will focus on one decade, with fans given the choice of 10 acts from that decade to vote for.