 On March 26, 2008, various media outlets reported that Dr Pepper would offer "a free can of Dr Pepper to everyone in America" – excluding former Guns N' Roses guitarists Buckethead and Slash – if the band released the long-awaited "Chinese Democracy" in 2008.Later in the day, lead vocalist Axl Rose replied to Dr Pepper on Guns N' Roses' official website and spoke of his surprise at Dr Pepper's support.Rose also said he would share his Dr Pepper with Buckethead as "some of Buckethead's performances are on "Chinese Democracy"".