I guess if all these nominations made sense to everybody, there would be less noise about it.
On one hand, I believe that each one’s music tastes are subjective and produce a unique emotional response to anyone listener which should be respected, on the other hand.....I am a musical snob who prides himself in a wide and eclectic enjoyment of music who annually shakes his head when this list comes out.

Bad Company? this after Foreigner and Journey......I’m sure coming up in the queue is Kansas, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Boston (at least they had More than a Feeling) , Ted Nugent.....at this point, why not?
The Black Crowes? - personally I like them....but HOF worthy? What about Warren Zevon, Little Feat, King Crimson....are they not more worthy?
Mariah Carey? - incredible voice and success....but still not rock. If Whitney Houston (perhaps the pinnacle of this type of artist), Dolly Parton, Cher are in, you cant leave out Mariah.....but where is Diana Ross (solo), Barbara Streisand and Dionne Warwick? arguably more influential and at least much better singers than Cher
Chubby Checker? as stated before, i guess cant make him feel left out…who’s left....Danny and the Juniors?
Joe Cocker ?get one more in from Woodstock, I guess....with Country Joe and the Fish and Sha Na Na waiting in the wings......I do think Mad Dogs and Englishmen is a great live album…helluva touring band with Leon Russell and all
Billy Idol ?Okay. a few hits....but HOF worthy? is he more substance and style than talent ? Will Adam Ant be next from that period?
Joy Divsion/New Order ? I like them and would like to see them in....IMO, better than Depeche Mode, equal to The Cure, but not as good as The Smiths or Tears For Fears - how come they never get nominated?
Cyndi Lauper ? see Billy Idol…is Sheena Easton next?
Mana ? maybe the only nominee I can recall that I never had heard of before
Oasis ? this makes sense in that they seem to hit all of the criteria.....myself, I think Blur were a much better band with consistency and output.....but they’ll never get in.....Damon probably has a better shot with Gorillaz
Outkast ? As far as hip hop artists goes, they belong in
Phish? Sort of surprised but happily so to see them get nominated....maybe setting the stage of other quality jam bands (Umphrey McGee, Widespread Panic, Government Mule) to be considered somewhere down the line…or will they be the lone artist representing the post Grateful Dead jam bands?
Soundgarden ? I know they’ve been nominated before.....their Northwest brothers in arm Nirvana and Pearl Jam have been in for quite awhile....personally I like Alice in Chains better than Soundgarden and not sure why they have never made the ballot
White Stripes? I could see them getting in.....kind of a novelty garage rock band with a song that has become a cultural staple…for better or worse, probably paved the way for The Black Keys…personally Id rather listen to Jack White’s sole stuff and side project work than The White Stripes