Nardwuar The Human Serviette has been appointed to The Order Of Canada, one of the highest civilian honours in the country.
The Vancouver music interview legend – real name John Ruskin – found fame for his chaotic but informed interviews with countless famous faces over the years including Nirvana, Pharrell Williams, Sabrina Carpenter, Blur, Harry Styles and many more.
Known for often catching interviewees off-guard with his deep research and by frequently surprising them with thoughtful gifts, the flannel-clad journalist was named as one of 80 new recipients of the Order Of Canada. The award is one of the highest honours for civilians, and recognises them for their contributions.
On Wednesday (December 31), Nardwuar shared a video on Instagram showing his gratitude for the award.
“So humbled that people thought I was worthy of this honour and nominated me,” he said. “I am in awe! I can’t even explain myself so I can’t imagine how people would explain me to the committee!”
He then shared that he wanted to dedicate the honour to his late mother, journalist Olga Ruskin, as she “taught me so much about history, local independent media, and the value of research”.
As reported by outlets including Billboard and CTV, his mother helped launch a 1970s cable-access show called Our Pioneers and Neighbours, and also worked as a court reporter for the Toronto Star.
“I know that she would be, like me, overcome with joy,” Nardwuar continued.
Nardwuar began his career by starting a weekly radio show on CITR college radio in Vancouver back in 1987, and then got a job on the MuchMusic radio station in the ‘90s.
He later launched his own channel and became recognised for his distinctive flannel suit, eccentric personality, and the “Doot Doola Doot Doo” tagline. His interviews, which often take a deep-dive into a celebrity’s background, have included huge names in music including A$AP Rocky, Dolly Parton, Snoop Dogg and more, as well as actors including Timothée Chalamet, and politicians including Justin Trudeau.
Outside of journalism, he is also the lead singer and keyboard player for The Evaporators, which he formed back in the mid-’80s.
Other recipients of the Order Of Canada alongside Nardwuar include country music star Terri Clark, children’s singer Raffi, and various authors, athletes, and scientists.
Back in 2015, Nardwuar spoke to NME about his extensive career and looked back at whether his approach to interviews had changed over time. When asked if he was still able to catch people off-guard since finding fame, he replied: “I just do what I do, I don’t over-think it greatly. I am honoured when people want to be interviewed by me or when they help arrange another interview for me.”
“When I go into an interview I don’t go in with any preconceived notion about anything because you never know where you stand,” he continued. “You also don’t know if the artist does know you and then their press agent says just before the interview ‘this guy’s an asshole’ – that’s happened before – and that then changes their entire demeanour. So I don’t think it matters if they know you or not.”
