On This Day In History – August 9th
Thomas Edison not Ben Franklin. Axel Rose and James Hetfield. Fig newtons and John Travolta. King Kong loved her. Gangsta rap gets real. Gangsta gansta at the top of the…

Title page from book
Thomas Edison not Ben Franklin. Axel Rose and James Hetfield. Fig newtons and John Travolta. King Kong loved her. Gangsta rap gets real.
Gangsta gansta at the top of the list
34 years ago - In 1988, N.W.A released their debut album "Straight Outta Compton".
http://gty.im/995853576
Obey your master
30 years ago - In 1992, Metallica singer James Hetfield was badly burned by a pyro explosion at a Montreal concert.
At the same show, Axl Rose claimed he "lost his voice" and cut Guns 'N Roses' set short. Fans rioted and caused $300,000 in damage.
http://gty.im/1313110373
Monkey business
18 years ago - In 2004, Fay Wray, star of the original "King Kong", passed away. She was 96.
http://gty.im/152405669
Greased lightning
42 years ago - In 1980, the Olivia Newton John movie "Xanadu" was released. It was her first movie after "Grease", and a box office disaster.
http://gty.im/905913522
Sniff it
146 years ago - In 1876, Thomas Edison received a patent for his mimeograph. Today's brats don't remember getting mimeographed homework assignments (peepaw called 'em "dittos"), the ones with the purple ink that you usually couldn't read.
http://gty.im/51789903