Chinese Democracy they had cost $12 million." On March 26, 2008, media reported that soft drinks manufacturer Dr Pepper would offer a free can of its product to everyone in America—excluding former Guns N' Roses guitarists Buckethead and Slash—if the band released "Chinese Democracy" in 2008. Later that day, Rose wrote of his surprise at the company's support on the Guns N' Roses website, and said he would share his Dr Pepper with Buckethead as "some of Buckethead's performances are on "Chinese Democracy"". After it was announced that the album would be released in 2008, Dr Pepper confirmed that it would uphold
Chinese Democracy studios. Though Geffen planned to release "Chinese Democracy" in 1999, it was delayed and completely re-recorded in 2000. With costs reportedly exceeding $13 million, it became the most expensive rock album ever produced, and Geffen pulled their funding in 2005. After missing an announced March 2007 release date, it was finally released in November 2008, dogged by online leaks and legal disputes. Preceded by the title track as a lead single, "Chinese Democracy" debuted at number three on the "Billboard" 200, and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); however, it did not meet sales expectations