August 8, 2008 would have been adult icon John Holmes' 64th birthday. A celebration of Holmes' erotic films and his legend will be held, on August 8, with the publication of the first-ever biography "John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches," co-authored by Jennifer Sugar and Jill C. Nelson.

A special gala book launch event will be hosted by Book Soup, located at 8818 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles, on Friday Aug. 8, from 7-9 p.m. PST, and will be followed by a free midnight screening of "Eruption," starring Holmes, at the Silent Movie Theatre located at 611 N. Fairfax Blvd.

Starting with his childhood in rural Ohio, Sugar and Nelson tell the amazing and tragic story of Holmes.

Moving to California after a stint in the Army, the 20-year old Holmes had no way of knowing that he would embark on a turbulent ride that would take him to the pinnacle of porn superstardom and the depths of drug addiction. His story would involve a cast of characters that defined the Golden Era of adult entertainment at a time when American culture was experimenting with the boundaries of Free Speech, sexuality and social revolution.

Holmes found himself distinguished by his unique physical attributes, which ultimately led to recognition and wealth as the best-known male triple-X performer in the world. As "Johnny Wadd," he worked his way to the top, with his wife and several mistresses along for the ride. But a cocaine-fueled downward spiral eventually brought Holmes to desperation and involvement with the dark underbelly of L.A.'s drug scene.

The infamous robbery of criminal kingpin Eddy Nash and resulting Wonderland murders is a part of the story that has evolved into pop culture legend with movies based on the crime, including "Wonderland" and the robbery sequence in P.T. Anderson's award-winning film "Boogie Nights."

Strangely enough, after his acquital and prior to his death from HIV/AIDS, Holmes managed to remarry, enjoy a resurgence in his film career and rebuild the last part of his legendary life.

Sugar and Nelson conducted extensive interviews with former liasons, co-stars and colleagues who were closest to Holmes' including Laurie Holmes, Bill Amerson, Bob Chinn, Julia St. Vincent, Detective Tom Lange, Detective Frank Tomlinson, Paul Thomas, Ron Jeremy, Seka, Jamie Gillis, Marilyn Chambers, Candida Royalle, Rhonda Jo Petty, Dr. Sharon Mitchell and Bill Margold, among others.

The biography is available through its website at JohnHolmesInches.com, and also at online retailers Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

Holmes' widow Laurie Holmes, 'Johnny Wadd' director Bob Chinn, industry veteran Bill Margold and Cass Paley (director of 'Wadd, The Life & Times of John C. Holmes') are scheduled to speak at the Book Soup extravaganza.

Porn icon Ron Jeremy is a special invited guest and Golden Age favourite Rhonda Jo Petty, cameraman Mark Novick, and famed photographers Joel Sussman and Kenji are all expected to be in attendance.

Other adult industry personalities attending the event include 'Exhausted' creator and director Julia St. Vincent, along with fellow directors Don Fernando and Alan Colberg.

Members of the media covering the book signing will include Tod Hunter from X-BIZ.com, Jared Rutter from AVN, gay blog editor JC Adams. Hustler Video National Sales Manager Michael Glaser will also be a guest at the gala.

The celebratory event is being sponsored by adult industry trade publication XBIZ.com and bakery Cake and Art will provide a special custom cake.