Porn Valley- August 8, 2008 would have been John Curtis Holmes’ 64th birthday.

This year, August also commemorates two important events, which are sort of a yin and yang in the history of adult entertainment. The arrival of HIV/AIDS in the United States in the 1980s dampened the spirit of sexual exploration that had dominated the counterculture of the ’60s and ’70s.

In response, Holmes and his business partner were among the first to be tested as soon as methods became available. Ironically, Holmes was among the first of the AIDS-related casualties among adult performers; he passed away on March 13, 1988.

Less than six months later, in August, the California Supreme Court overturned pornographer Harold Freeman’s conviction for pandering. Now known as the Freeman Decision, the court interpreted that his conviction was an infringement of freedom of speech, thereby effectively legalizing the production of hardcore pornography in the state of California for the past 20 years.

This year, on 8/8/08, Holmes’ legacy in erotic films and the First Amendment will be celebrated with the publication of the first biography about his life and career, JOHN HOLMES: A LIFE MEASURED IN INCHES.

His is a story with humble beginnings in rural Pickaway County, Ohio. In 1964, after completing three years of service in the army, 20-year old John moved to California. At that time, hardcore pornography was still in its infancy, so even in his wildest dreams, Holmes could not have predicted the turbulent ride on which he had embarked by publicizing his private parts.

With the fame he achieved by playing his most famous character – a gun-toting detective named Johnny Wadd – came money. Holmes was pleased to spend it on his wife and mistresses, but soon was in over his head after he became addicted to cocaine.

Unfortunately for Holmes, in the years that followed, his addiction led him into several desperate choices, including setting up a robbery at the home of Ed Nash, a powerful L.A. nightclub owner. The robbery resulted in one of the most gruesome, unsolved, multiple-murders in Hollywood history. Amazingly, before his untimely death in 1988, Holmes regained his momentum, remarried and rebuilt his life and career. However, the grave consequences of his addiction, his association with the Wonderland murders and his AIDS-related death made him an infamous figure in pop culture.

Digging past the stigmas, JOHN HOLMES: A LIFE MEASURED IN INCHES, written by Jennifer Sugar and Jill Nelson, unearths the human being behind the penis and proves that there was more to him than could be measured in inches.

This biography includes material from the authors’ new interviews with: Laurie Holmes, Bill Amerson, Bob Chinn, Julia St. Vincent, Detective Tom Lange, Detective Frank Tomlinson, Paul Thomas, Ron Jeremy, Seka, Marilyn Chambers, Candida Royalle, Rhonda Jo Petty, Dr. Sharon Mitchell, Bill Margold, and many others! Plus, over 100 reviews of John’s most notable films, photos and a filmography.

Pre-order your copy today at: www.johnholmesinches.com