I hear you, mostlymeat. I shouldn't pay attention at all but I can't help it!
For me the big joke (apart from awards in general) is not what is or isn't 'rock and roll', rather it's who's influential, inventive, great, talented, etc. In other words, music would be different if the band or person never existed.
Like, I don't really enjoy Guns 'n Roses, but it's undeniable how metal/hard rock/whatever took a huge turn once they came along. Same thing with the Cure. I haven't been able to listen to the Cure without shuddering since I was maybe 13, but again, I think pretty fucking influential. The one on this list that makes me crazy is the fucking Red Hot Chili Peppers. All their songs sound the same, and for all their mugging and monkeying around, the band has no personality at all.
Now technically, in order to be nominated you have to have put a record out at least 25 years previous to that - RHCP formed in '83 and 1st record was '85. I wiki'ed it. So, other musicians established in '83:
Nick Cave & Bad Seeds
Flaming Lips
Jesus & Mary Chain
'84: Dino Jr
'85: Gang Starr
Kinda burned out looking at band lists right about there. Lots of bands formed earlier haven't hit the list too.