AXL ROSE - 'VERY HAPPY' ROSE RESPONDS TO DR PEPPER OFFER

LATEST: Plans to give every American a free can of Dr Pepper soda if GUNS 'N ROSES release their long-delayed album CHINESE DEMOCRACY this year (08) have thrilled frontman AXL ROSE. The reclusive singer has been working on the project, which has so far cost an estimated $13 million (GBP6.5 million), for over a decade. Rose admits he was stunned when Dr Pepper bosses made their announcement earlier this week (begs24Mar08). He writes on the band's website: "We are surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr Pepper with our album Chinese Democracy, as, for us, this came totally out of the blue."