Axl Rose Demands Apology, Payment From Dr Pepper

Axl Rose and the band are bubbling over with anger at Dr Pepper's botched soda giveaway. The Guns N' Roses singer is accusing the beverage maker of profiting from the band's name - and then bungling its promised giveaway of a free pop to every person in the United States. The soft-drink maker said in March it would give a free pop to everyone in the country if the band's "Chinese Democracy" album were released this year. Notorious for being delayed since recording began in 1994, the album went on sale Sunday. While the band finally made good with "Chinese Democracy," Dr Pepper did not, lawyer Alan Gutman, who represents Rose and the band, said in a letter to Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. dated Tuesday. The soda-maker's website malfunctioned during the 24 hours it offered the free pop to consumers Sunday, causing many fans to become upset, the lawyer said.