NEW YORK (Billboard) - Many have tried, but so far nobody has been able to pry the decade-in-the-works Guns N' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" from the hands of lone remaining original member Axl Rose.

Now, Dr Pepper thinks it's up to the challenge. The soft drink company says it will give a free can of Dr Pepper to "everyone in America" (excluding ex-Guns members Slash and Buckethead) if "Chinese Democracy" arrives anytime during the calendar year 2008.

Rose responded on his band's web site (http://www.gunsnroses.com) that the band was "surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr Pepper." But the offer did not prompt him to rose to the challenge.

"Chinese Democracy" was most recently scheduled for release in March 2007, but promptly vanished from the schedule without a new date being set. Rose said at the time that all the recording had been completed, but there were some "scheduling difficulties."

It will be the first album of fresh Guns N' Roses material since the 1991 sets "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II." Rose has reportedly burned through $13 million in recording expenses for "Chinese Democracy," and also burned his bridges with the bandmates who helped him turn Guns into one of the biggest rock groups in the world by the early 1990s.

Reuters/Billboard

I give up hope on this damn album.

I don't think this album will ever happen. And even if it does, it would still not be the real GN'R. You can't have the real GN'R without Slash, Izzy and Duff. I think that with the possible exception of Keith Richards and Mick Taylor from the 1969-1973 Stones line up, I think that Slash and Izzy were the greatest lead guitar/rhythem guitar combo in rock history.

I know there are people like Robert Smith (The Cure) and Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders) who are this point use the established band names for solo projects, but Guns N' Roses is a different story altogether IMO. Axl may have the name, but Slash and Duff were needed too, and without the two of them, Guns N Roses are void as far as I care. However, I do understand why Axl will not do the "solo album" thing, because time and again, we've seen lead singers of established blockbuster bands who can't even make the top 100 solo, even tho their group albums still go top 10. Just look at solo albums by Geddy Lee and Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) for that. Consumers know who Rush and Depeche Mode are, yet only the hardcore will treat Geddy or Dave's solo albums with the same enthusiasm.

There's probably a better chance of Dr. Pepper becoming a real Doctor!

;)