Trip to the Amazon

In September 1965 Shep was given the opportunity to go to the Amazon. As the story goes, Barry Farber was at a luncheon for Luden's candies during which he won a raffle of 500 pounds of Luden's candy. It was to be donated to his favorite charity. Since he had just interviewed the chief of the Shapra Indians, a headhunter's tribe in Peru, he decided to give it to them. Luden's, not wanting to be embarrassed went along with it and arranged for the trip. Barry, not being fond of flying, nominated Shep to go in his place. Shep went and after returning spent the next several shows talking about it.

from the collection of Greg Potemkin
used with permission

Photographer Sol Potemkin accompanied Shep on this trip taking many photos like the one above. Sol's son Greg was kind enough to pass this one along.

Thanks to Gene Bergmann who interviewed Greg for his book
"Exselsior You Fathead - The Art and Enigma of Jean Shepherd"

References

Radio

WOR Show - Just Back From Amazon Trip - September 16, 1965

WOR Show - Amazon Duets - Tape of Amazon Trip - September 17, 1965

Limelight Show - Headhunters of the Amazon - September 18, 1965

Guest on Barry Farber Show - Talking about Peru - September 20, 1965

WOR Show - More on the Amazon Trip & News Strike - September 20, 1965

Notes

Barry Farber told the story of how he got Shep to go on this trip many times. One of them was at the "Friends of Old Time Radio" convention in Newark NJ on October 20, 2000.