I could see them delaying Phish because they realize they’re running out of real rock bands who make any sense.

Bad Company is another example of their willingness to induct any 1970s act with any lasting radio presence. Like the point of a “Hall of Fame” is to recognize anyone who actually manages to qualify as “famous.”

I get what you’re saying about Jack White, but I don’t think they usually pick apart bands like that. The “musical excellence” award might go to someone who did their notable work when they weren’t a member of a band, like Randy Rhodes, but that’s because it’s the only way they could get in.

I could kind of see doing that to someone like Dave Mustaine, who has a case because he was so important in the development of an entire genre, but who did his work in a) a band that didn’t start recording until after they kicked him out and b) a band that might not really be good enough to induct on their own. That second point is only in principle though. Megadeth deserves it more than Peter Frampton or Bad Company.